Glass 
Book 



I 



< 



HISTORICAL RESEARCHES 

ON 

THE WARS AND SPORTS 

OF THE 

jfctottgoto anti Momamt 

IN WHICH 

ELEPHANTS and WILD BEASTS 

WERE EMPLOYED OR SLAIN. 

AND THE 

REMARKABLE LOCAL AGREEMENT OF HISTORY WITH THE REMAINS OF SUCH ANIMALS 

FOUND IN 

EUROPE AND SIBERIA. 

CONTAINING 

Life of Genghis Khan, his unparalleled Conquests. — Life of the Grand Khan Kublai : Life of Ta- 
merlane: their Battles ; splendid Courts; and Grand Hunting Expeditions. — Siberia described in 
Summer; Mongol Sovereigns ; Invasions from China and Bangalla ; Battles; Rich Tombs. — Con- 
quest of Russia by a Grandson of Genghis Khan. — Fisheries of the Walrus, called Mammoth by 
Siberians : Errors arising therefrom. — Roman Wars and Sports with Elephants and wild beasts. 
— History of Roman Britain, ending A.D. 427: York the Head Quarters of the Roman Empire 
for Three Years. — British Emperors ; powerful Fleet. — Mines; W ealth; Amphitheatres. — Conquest 
of Gaul and Spain by the British Emperor Maximus. 

WITH A MAP AND TEN PLATES. 



BY JOHN V RANKING, 

RESIDENT UPWARDS OF TWENTY YEARS IN HINDOOSTAN AND RUSSIA. 



LONDON: 

PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR 
AND SOLD BY LONGMAN, REES, ORME, BROWN, AND GREEN, PATERNOSTER-ROW. 
KINGSBURY, PARBURY, AND ALLEM, LEADENHALL-STREET. AND 
G. LAWFORD, SAVILE-PLACE, CONDUIT-STREET. 



M.DCCC.XXVI. 



LONDON. 

w. m'dowall, PRINTER. PEMBERTON-RQW, GOUGH-SQUAR' 



PREFACE. 



In the endeavour to trace historical proofs, that the fossil bones of 
elephants and wild beasts, which have been found in Britain, France, 
Spain, Germany, Russia, Siberia, and other countries, are the remains 
of those animals which have been employed in the wars, religious 
ceremonies, and amphitheatrical sports, of the Romans and the Mon- 
gols, (or Moguls) : the author has been led on by the extensive scenes 
of conquest, the extraordinary grandeur of the Mogul Khans, the 
magnificence of their hunting expeditions and court parades, which so 
far exceed anything ever witnessed in Europe; to make a quarto 
volume of what he imagined might have been comprised in a small 
compass. 

In the progress of these researches, there was such a conviction in 
the writer's mind of his success in the main object of his work, in con- 
sequence of some extraordinary discoveries which he has made ; that 
he has been induced to write an epitome of the life of the Siberian 
Genghis Khan, the most famous conqueror that ever existed; and 
whose grandson Kublai, on his completion of the conquest of China, 
governed and controlled an empire much more extensive and populous 



iv PREFACE. 

than was ever swayed by the Romans, when their greatness was at its 
utmost height*. 

It will be seen what efforts, during this Grand Khan's life, were made 
to subdue Ilindoostan; but they were repelled by the vigour of the 
Afghan Emperors. Eastern Bengal, or Bangalla, was the only part of 
that country which submitted to Kublai. A description of the very 
ancient capital (now submerged) of this Bengal, has, fortunately, been 
met with. 

Siberia, a name which conveys to most readers the idea but of frost 
and exile, will be found in summer, (which season only is here described), 
a most magnificent region in many parts; the cradle of the greatest 
conquerors recorded in history; a country unknown to Russia till the 
sixteenth century; of greater extent than Europe; and so rich in zoo- 
logy and botany, that the discovery of America, says Pennant, has 
scarcely imparted a greater number of objects to the naturalist. The 
reader will find that country connected with China and India, from 
the earliest ages : and in the thirteenth century vast invading armies, 
composed of Mongols, Persians, Chinese, and Arabs, commanded by 
Timur Kaan, governor of Yunnan, Eastern Bengal, and other elephant 
provinces, stationed in Siberia for many years; to contest, upon the 
banks of the Irtish and higher in the north, the possession of the most 
powerful monarchy that has ever been known. No notice of these in- 
vasions has been met with in any history of Russia or Siberia. 

About a century afterwards, Tamerlane, who as a conqueror is 

* In the year 1280 the family of Genghis Khan possessed, in longitude, from 
Behring's Straits to the Don; and all Russia was tributary: — In latitude, from the 
south of China to the Arctic Ocean, (Ilindoostan and Arabia excepted). 



PREFACE. V 
second only to Genghis Khan, will be found in Siberia and Russia so 
high in the north, that the morning rays appeared in the east before 
the sun was entirely set, (the Mahomedan doctors from this pheno- 
menon omitted the evening prayers), with armies that astonish us at 
their numbers and discipline; and in opposition to monarchs as power- 
ful as himself, but never so fortunate. The splendour of the court, and 
of the " big wars *, which seemed to make ambition virtue," of this 
destroying prince, surpass every thing but the fictions of poetry and 
romance ; and it will be seen how extremely probable it is, that he has, 
in several instances, been adopted as the prototype of the infernal 
hero of that great effort of the human intellect, the Paradise Lost. 

The vanity and folly of ambition were never more forcibly exempli- 
fied than in the instant dissipation, by Tamerlane's successor, of the 
countless and inestimable gold and jewels, the plunder of Delhi, Bag- 
dat, Damascus, and Bursa; and all to indulge the capricious humour 
of one of the concubines of the Emir Hadji Seifeddin, whom he had 
privately married, and whose fatal charms destroyed an empire, which 
was inferior to none on the earth. 

The history of Britain will be found to exhibit that province, while 
under the power of the Romans, as deemed of the greatest importance 
to those conquerors; and which is evinced by the many Emperors 
who visited and resided in the island, some of them with their fami- 
lies. The obstinate wars with the unsubdued Caledonians lasted to 
the term of the Roman domination, and attracted the whole Court of 

* The army, from the extremity of one wing to that of the other, extended be- 
tween three and four leagues. On the approach to Damascus the elephants, in a 
great rank, marched in front. — See Ch. IV. 



v i PREFACE. 

the Empire to York, during the long residence in Britain of the three 
Emperors, Severus, Caracalla, and Geta, the latter of whom had the 
command of London. It was in the city of York, which was for three 
years the head quarters of the Roman Empire, that Severus celebrated 
a triumph for his victories in Parthia and Arabia. 

The greatness of several of the British Emperors, their powerful ar- 
mies, fleet, and their conquests on the continent, attest the wealth of 
the island; and how justly the loss of its mines, its corn, and very nu- 
merous recruits for the Roman armies (on the continent), was de- 
plored. 

No other person having given a history of Britain with the views of 
the writer, a stronger light is thrown on that part of these researches 
than has before been collected in a small compass ; and nevertheless 
every essential historical event, that is extant, is related. 

That most noble of the brutes, the elephant, will be found in great 
numbers, climbing the Alps with Hannibal and Asdrubal ; crossing 
the mountains of Greece ; and fighting with the Roman army under 
the command of Acilius and Cato, against Antiochus at Thermopylae ; 
marching with the Emperor Claudius to the conquest of Britain; thir- 
ty-nine slain in one battle in Spain; a hundred and forty employed in 
a battle with the Carthaginians, at Palermo; of which a great number 
was killed by the Romans, and above a hundred were captured. 

Thirteen hundred elephants at one time, and five hundred on ano- 
ther occasion, were led by the Emperor Mamood against the king of 
Cashgar, and supported the cold of Tartary, when men and horses per- 
ished by its severity. The numbers possessed by the descendants of 
Genghis Khan would be incredible, if we did not know that all the 



PREFACE. Vii 
elephant provinces east of the Burrampooter were under their con- 
trol, and that no monarchs on earth were ever so powerful. 

The variety and immense numbers of wild beasts destroyed in the 
circus and amphitheatre are recorded by many historians. Hippo- 
potami, rhinoceroses, camelopards, and almost every known quadru- 
ped were employed in these amusements; sometimes several thou- 
sands on a single occasion. On one day, forty elephants were ex- 
hibited in these cruel but grand sports, with which the Roman 
people were indulged for many centuries. 

Such respectable authors as Pallas and others having asserted, that 
all the elephants employed in the armies of the Moguls would not ac- 
count for the vast, number of mammoth's remains found in Siberia, it 
was indispensably requisite to give sufficient historical proof of the 
contrary. The evidence produced in this volume, accompanied with 
the elucidation of the misunderstandings and consequent exaggerations 
on this topic, arising from the Siberians calling the walrus, (which 
they kill in immense numbers), by the name of Mammoth, and Eu- 
ropeans always supposing them to be speaking of elephants, is deemed, 
by the writer, a satisfactory proof of the errors and misconceptions 
on this subject: but sufficient conviction regarding the numbers of 
elephants, could not be conveyed to the reader, without present- 
ing him with the causes for such extraordinary wars and scenes 
as are here described; and he was therefore necessitated to lay 
before him those circumstances which have reached us in various scat- 
tered authorities, in order to make out a constructive evidence in those 
cases, for which direct proof has not been found. In this pursuit many 
readers will find descriptions and scenes of a nature entirely different 
from what is usually met with. 



v iii PREFACE. 

The various Chapters consist of those extracts of short passages, 
and abstracts of long ones, and even of whole volumes, which contri- 
bute to prove the point aimed at. The dates and circumstances are 
sometimes so distant or various as to preclude the possibility of always 
maintaining a connected narrative like a regular history, nor does the 
nature of the subject require it. 

The author considers himself merely as a pioneer, who has, on a very 
interesting question, endeavoured to open a new road, which may pro- 
bably lead to a more extended knowledge of nature and of man. 



CONTENTS. 



Introduction Page 1 

CHAP. I. 

Sketch of the Historij of the Grand Khans of the Mongols and Tar- 
tars, from the Birth of Genghis, A.D. 1154, to the Accession of 

Kublai, in 1257. Unparalleled Conquests. Genghis s 

Laws. Sieges of Samarkand and of Bochara.- Imperial 

Hunting Circle. A Courailtai, or General Council, held at 

Toncat. Description of Caracorum, the Capital of the Mon- 
gol Empire 15 

CHAP. II. 

Of the Grand Khan Kublai, whose domination exceeded that of 

Augustus. Conquest of Manji, or South China; Bangalla; 

Burmah; 8pc- Numerous Elephants received in tribute. 

Rebellion in Siberia. Invasion of Java. Invasion of Ja- 
pan. • Pomp and Splendour of his Court. Magnificent 

Hunting Expeditions. Failure of Attempts to conquer Ilin- 

dostan 53 

b 



X 



CONTENTS. 



CHAP. III. 

Of the Employment of Elephants from the earliest times in China 

Persia Turan Scythia Tur quest an Gazna 

Thibet Assam; from which Countries they may have 

been introduced into Siberia 86 



CHAP. IV. 

Sketch of the Life of Timur Bee, or Tamerlane.- His Battles in 

Siberia Russia Hindostan Syria Georgia 

A sia Minor. Elephants. Extraordinary Splendour of his 

Court. His Death Ruin of his Empire. Embassy 

from his Son, Shah Rohk, to the Emperor of China. Origin 

of the Gypsies 109 

CHAP. V. 

Of Siberia. -Described in Summer. Fertility. Wild 

Animals. Magnificent Scenery Mongol Sovereigns 

Coronation of the Grand Khan Keyuc, at Olougyourt. In- 
vaded from China and India beyond the Ganges. Immense 

Armies stationed on the Irtish, and Battles in the Thirteenth 

Century. Invasions of Tamerlane, Fourteenth Century. 

Tombs; Elephants' Bones, Golden Chess-boards and Men, 

Golden Plates, fyc. found in them. Note on the Conquest of 

Russia by Baton, Grandson of Genghis. Tamerlane invades 

Russia. His terrible Battle with the Khan of Capschac 

described 182 



CONTENTS. 



xi 



CHAP. VI. 

Fossil Remains of Elephants, Rhinoceroses, and Buff aloes, found 

in Siberia and Russia. Remarks on the Elephant found in 

the Ice at the Mouth of the Lena. Sublime Scenery. 

Ruins of Ancient Forts . Happiness of the Natives. Nu- 
merous Errors arising from Europeans having transferred the 
Word Mammoth, the Siberian Name of the Walrus, to the Re- 
mains of Elephants, Whales, fyc 228 

CHAP. VII. 

Description of the Ancient City of Bangalla, which stood at the 

Eastern Mouth of the Ganges, now overflowed Burmah 

Pegu, 8fc. in the Sixteenth Century; all of which had been sub- 
ject to the Grand Khans, in the Thirteenth and Fourteenth 

Centuries. Bloody Wars for a White Elephant. Siege 

of Pegu. Deplorable Famine. Immense Treasures . . . 261 

CHAP. VIII. 

Hindostan. Heroism of the Indian Ladies. Court Parades 

of the Emperors Akbar, Jehanghir, and Aurungzeb. Com- 
bats of Elephants with Horses; of English Mastiffs with Ele- 
phants; of Crocodiles with Horses 276 

CHAP. IX. 

Of Roman and Greek Wars in which Elephants were employed. 
Marches of Hannibal and Asdrubal over the Alps, with a 

b2 



xii CONTENTS. 

great number of Elephants. Arduous march of the Consul 

Marcius, with Elephants, over the Olympic chain of Mountains 

in Greece. Of Acilius, with Elephants, over Mount Cor ax. 

Elephants hilled, and some captured by Cato, in the defile 

of Thermopylae - 291 

CHAP. X. 

Of Roman Amphitheatres, remains of which exist in Britain — — 

Italy -France Spain Sicily Greece Syria 

and other Countries 308 



CHAP. XI. 

Sports and Combats in the Circus and Amphitheatre; in which were 

slain, Elephants Rhinoceroses Hippopotami Bears 

Lions Tigers Hycenas Camelopards Cro- 
codiles Ostriches, fyc. in surprising numbers. Grand Tri- 
umphal Processions at Rome. Chariots drawn by tamed 

Lions, Leopards, Tigers, Oryges with one horn, Stags, fyc. . 317 

CHAP. XII. 

Remains of Elephants and Wild Beasts found in Italy France 

Sicily Spain Germany and other Countries „ 338 

CHAP. XIII. 

Sketch of the History of Roman Britain, ending A.D. 427. 

Julius Ccesar. Claudius. Elephants. Britain is vi- 
sited by many Emperors. York, the Head Quarters of the 



XV 



DIRECTIONS TO THE BINDER. 



1 THE Map of Asia is to be placed opposite to the title page of the volume. 

2 The Emperor Kublai, in a castle borne by four elephants, to face the title of 

Chapter II. This print is composed from the descriptions of Marco Polo, 
and the histories and plates of Du Halde and the Abbe Grosier. 

3 The Portrait of Tamerlane is to face the title of Chapter IV. It is from an In- 

dian coloured drawing, in the possession of the Author ; in which the dress 
is rose-colour; the buttons are emeralds, surrounded with pearls; and the 
turban is white, striped with gold. 

4 An Urn found in a tomb in Siberia, copied from Strahlenberg ; and Tartars 

travelling, copied from an old book ; to face the title of Chapter V. 

5 Defeat of Hannibal by Scipio, at Zama, from Catrou ; to face Chapter XI. 

6 Map of the March of Hannibal and Asdrubal from Spain, over the Alps, to Ita- 

ly. — Hairs of a living Elephant. — Tusks of the Lena Elephant, &c. to face 
page 295. 

7 A Temple for Sacrificing ; an Amphitheatre ; and a Circus, with twenty of the 

most remarkable animals slain by the Romans ; to face Chap. XI. 

8 Plate 1. — Coins of Ancient British Kings, to face page 354. 

9 Plate 2. — Medals and Coins of Romans who were in Britain, to face page 385. 

10 Plate 3.— Medals for Victories in Britain; and Emperors of Britain; to face 

page 395. 

11 The Walrus, or Mammoth ; and the Narwal; to face the title of Chapter XVI. 



INTRODUCTION. 



riow defective is History, and how small a portion of that which 
does exist is known to any one person ! Britain was connected with 
the Romans about four hundred and eighty one-years : of which a space 
of three hundred and twenty years is a perfect blank. What little is 
known is collected from the incidental mention of that island by Ro- 
man, and a few Greek authors ; Britain itself, it is supposed, not hav- 
ing produced any writer whatever. Siberia was above three centuries 
governed by the Moguls ; and not a word of its history, during that 
period, is to be found, except what may be gleaned from authors fo- 
reign to that extensive region, — Persians, Chinese, Russians, and Eu- 
ropean missionaries and travellers. 

The pride of man, in his intellectual attainments, is humbled at the 
reflection, that he who can "unfold all Nature's law," measure the 
diameter of the sun, and the distance of the stars, should, at the 
same time, be frequently as ignorant as the savage of the most 
important events which occur, during his own existence, on the 

B 



INTRODUCTION. 



atom of the universal frame which he inhabits. Scarcely any one 
in Europe believed the narrative of Marco Polo. The information 
received since the discovery of the Cape of Good Hope, has proved 
the truth of that intelligent traveller's book in a remarkable degree. 

At the death of the Black Prince, Timur Bee had worn the 
crown of Zagatai about seven years; but his exploits had been con- 
fined to Persia and his wars with the Mogul princes who pos- 
sessed Siberia. It is, therefore, very probable, that these heroes 
never heard of the existence of each other ; although a battle, in 
which ninety thousand men were killed*, would have commanded the 
admiration of that great conqueror. 

To this day, in most parts of Africa, the assurance that, in other 
countries, elephants are tamed and ridden, passes as one of the 
" white man's liesf." And can this be wondered at, when my Lord 
of Gloucester, on examining the grinder of an Elephant, (which 
animal was dug up at Gloucester, and King James sent Lord Her- 
bert of Cherbury to ascertain if it were a giant's), assured Bishop 
Hakewill, that " he himself was not confident that it was the tooth 
of a man J?" 

The discovery of fossil bones of Elephants and certain other 
animals, has filled the world with amazement; and though history, 
imperfect as it is, presents us with the solution of the enigma; it 

* See Mezeray, Historiographer of France with a pension of four thousand livres. He 
gives the particulars of the two days atCrecy: Hume states the number of both days to be 
thirty-six thousand and six hundred. 

-j- A French vessel touching on the coast of Guinea, some of the crew were taken before 
the king, who was seated upon a log under a tree with the queen, both naked, attended by 
four guards with wooden pikes: this was his majesty's Court of Justice. His enquiry of the 
strangers was, whether they talked much about him in France? Montesquieu, Persian Letter 
XLIV. 

\ Bishop Hakewill's Apology, p. 229. 



INTRODUCTION. 3 

is quite astonishing that no one has hitherto searched into the his- 
torical origin of the most remarkable of these remains *. 

The ingenuity of the greatest and most respectable authors has 
been tortured to invent abstruse systems and causes for what ap- 
peared so truly wonderful. They, however, have failed to convince 
mankind of the truth of their hypotheses. The various theories 
of the earth have been resorted to. Of those which are supposed 
to have reference to the subject of this essay, the following are 
the principal; but they are all involved in such difficulties, that 
perhaps the mind of no person has ever been satisfactorily convinced 
of the truth of either of them. 

Leibnitz supposes that the earth was a luminous fixed star ; which, 
after burning for many ages, was extinguished from a deficiency of 
combustible matter; and that, when cooled, the moist vapour fell 
and formed the ocean. This theory is deemed altogether hypothe- 
tical. 

Buffon conjectures that the earth was a portion of the sun, de- 
tached from it by the oblique stroke of a comet; and that, being 
removed to a considerable distance from the sun, it gradually cooled, 
and the vapours condensed by degrees and fell down in water. But 
this original formation of the earth has been thought hypothetical 
by all, and by many fanciful f. It has, however, hence been sup- 
posed, that what are now the frozen regions, were once warm enough, 
from the earth's own heat, to maintain wild Elephants, Rhinoceroses, 
&c.J. Others have imagined that the obliquity of the ecliptic was 

* The writer has perhaps heen more attracted to this subject than any other person, by 
the circumstance of his having passed upwards of twenty years of his life in Hindostan and 
Russia. 

T See Rees's Cyc. " Earth," " Deluge." Encyc. Brit. "Mammoth." 
% Pallas at first concluded that the Northern regions had been sufficiently warm to be 
the native country of Elephants, Rhinoceroses, &c. but, on seeing the spots where bones were 
B 2 



4 INTRODUCTION. 

once so great as to include the Arctic Regions within the tropics. 
But the obliquity being caused by a vibratory, not a rotary, motion ; 
and the mean variation not ever amounting to one mile in a cen- 
tury, renders it impossible that the Arctic Regions could have ever 
been warmed by that operation, so as to affect this question: for, 
granting that the obliquity does arise from a rotary motion, it would 
require more than sixty thousand years to produce a difference of 
only ten degrees of latitude: and how would this accord with the 
finding of a Rhinoceros upon the sand of the bank of the river Vilui, 
in Siberia, Lat. 64°, with the skin upon the head, and the eyelids not 
destroyed ? 

A long list of eminent authors attribute the fossil remains 
of Elephants, and other animals in question, to the great Deluge. 
" I give the fact," says Pennant, " let others, more favoured, explain 
how these animals were transported from their torrid seats to the 
Arctic Regions. I should have recourse to the only one we have 
authority for, and think that phenomenon sufficient. I mention this, 
because modern philosophers look for a later cause : I rest convinced, 
to avoid contradicting what can never be proved." It is not to be 
supposed that this amiable man and excellent writer deemed that 
this fact was required in support of the truth of the deluge, scarcely 
any one doubting it, and, least of all, a philosopher like Pennant. 
In addition to holy writ, almost all the historians of the world agree 
in this catastrophe ; and, therefore, the deluge stands not in need 
that this additional testimonial should be substantiated. In mat- 
ters of science, truth alone is the object which every one ought to 
have in view ; and, with regard to the present inquiry, the usual 
interests and customs of society will perhaps be sufficient to bring 

found in Siberia, he changed his opinion, and thought they could have been transported only 
by a sudden inundation. Rees's Cyc. " Elephants' bones." 



INTRODUCTION. 5 

the subject home " to the business and bosoms of men," without 
disturbing either the heavens or the earth. If any one can fairly 
and completely answer my arguments, I shall admire his ingenuity, 
and will adopt his better proofs. In the words of Junius, "grateful 
as I am to the Good Being whose bounty has imparted to me this 
reasoning intellect, whatever it is ; I hold myself proportionably in- 
debted to him from whose enlightened understanding another ray of 
knowledge communicates to mine. But neither should I think the 
most exalted faculties of the human mind a gift worthy of the Di- 
vinity, nor any assistance in the improvement of them a subject of 
gratitude to my fellow creature, if I were not satisfied, that, really 
to inform the understanding, corrects and enlarges the heart." 

To return to the subject: The following opinions have been held : 
Peter the Great conjectured that some Elephants' bones had been left 
on Alexander's expedition, when he crossed, as is said, the Don*. 
The Emperor was probably not acquainted with the history of the 
Moguls, as the books on that subject were then scarcely known. 
Quintus Curtius was the author whose works heated the brain of 
Charles XII. and, thereby, created the formidable military power 
of Russia ; with the history of Alexander, the Czar was of course fa- 
miliar. 

Voltaire gave it as his opinion, that the tusks found in Siberia had 
been lost by traders. Mr. Tooke says, "if Mammoths lived once 
where their bones are discovered, it is certain that these countries 
must formerly have had a very different climate. Did they get thither 
while alive? what inducement led them 2 have they been drifted thi- 
ther after death, or are they the bones of sea animalsf ?" Leibnitz 

* Alexander crossed the Jaxartes, which he supposed was the Tanais. (See Plutarch in 
Alex, and Q. Curtius). This led the Czar to make that erroneous conjecture. 
*j" Russian Empire, Vol. 1, p. 29. 



C INTRODUCTION. 

and Linnaeus are of opinion that the Mammoths' horns might be morse 
tusks, but they are differently composed *." Marsigli supposed the 
fossil remains found in Europe were of those animals slain in the Ro- 
man games. Father Martini, who was in China before Du Halde, 
was of opinion that the fossil bones found in Siberia were the remains 
of the animals employed in the wars of the Mongols with the Chinese 
and Indians. Camden says, "the bones of the abundance of Ele- 
phants which Claudius brought with him to England, being casually 
found, have given rise to several groundless stories f . 

The reader is requested to keep in mind that the bones of the Mas- 
todon or Mastodonte found in America, on the Ohio and in other 
places, form no part of these researches ; nor do the fossil remains of 
Elephants, a few of which have been found on the shores of America. 
Some fossil Mastodontes have been found in Europe. The writer is 
not without hope that he shall be able to meet with something inter- 
esting respecting the early connection of Asia with America, and 
about these animals, when he is more at leisure ; some very extraordi- 
nary indications, relating to periods long before Columbus, having oc- 
curred in the pursuit of these researches. 

In reading Eastern History the names — Scythians, Tartars, Turks, 
Mongols, are often used without discrimination ; and without convey- 
ing to the reader a clear idea of what people are particularly alluded to. 

Scythians, in ancient history, seems to mean, in general, all those 
people eastward of the Black Sea, from the latitude 40 to the Frozen 
Ocean. 

Tartars, in modern times, is a general term applied to all the tribes 
between the Volga and the Japan Sea, from about the latitude of 40 
to the chain of mountains which divides the flat territory from Siberia. 



Cuvier, p. 55. 



f Britannia, p. 347, (fol. ed. 1695). 



INTRODUCTION. 7 

Turks have been known in modern times chiefly by their conquests 
in Europe; but Turquestan, the head quarters of which has always 
been in the vicinity of the Altai mountains, a country rich in pastures, 
horses, and cattle, has from the earliest times produced some of the 
greatest conquerors known in history. More on this subject will be 
found in this volume. 

Mongols are not distinguished in history till Genghis, at once, by his 
bloody victories, immortalized their name. Their native country is 
the neighbourhood of Nertshinsk, in Siberia, both on the north and 
south sides of the chain of mountains. The Russians describe 
those terrible invaders by the name of Tartars. The armies being 
formed of all the nations in Tartary, and the leaders not having yet 
become much known, they were, no doubt, at first called Tartars ; and 
that name has generally been used in Russian history. The Chinese, 
in their history, call all their northern invaders by the name of Tartars : 
Oguz was a Turk, Genghis a Mongol, and Shun-Chi, the conqueror, 
A. D. 1644, was a Mandshur f. To enter further into this subject 
would lead to perplexity ; all that is aimed at, is to give those readers, 
to whom Eastern History is not familiar, a guide, however imperfect, 
through a path which no historian has yet satisfactorily cleared of its 
impediments. 

It has been the object of the writer to give as much information as 
possible on the subject of this essay in a small compass: any one who 
is desirous of further information may, by means of the references, 
procure it with facility in European works. With regard to Eastern 

* Perhaps a great conquest was never undertaken with more honor, or achieved with 
more wisdom, than that of China by the Mandshur Tartars, who are not an uncivilized peo- 
ple. See the History of the Conquest of China, by Palafox, Bishop of Osma and Viceroy 
of Mexico, 8vo. London, 1671; Tooke's Russian Empire, vol. 2, p. 96; and Du Halde, 
vol. 1, pp. 238, 239. 



S INTRODUCTION. 

History, as those books are rarely read and little known, he has detailed 
as much as he deemed requisite to give the reader a sufficient know- 
ledge of the customs, and immense conquests and power of Genghis 
Khan and his descendants : to some readers that portion of the volume 
will be found very interesting. 

The character of the Mongols is a mixture of affection, justice, and 
mildness among each other : but they exercise the most barbarous in- 
justice and terrible cruelty to those against whom they make war*: 
one example will shew this in a strong light. In 1221, Genghis besieg- 
ed the city of Bamian in Zabulistan, belonging to Gelaleddin, King of 
Carisme. Towers of wood were built to command the city: wild fire, 
mill-stones, flints were thrown in; and every kind of warlike engine 
was used. Every day, as many cows and horses were killed as would 
provide Genghis with fresh hides to cover over his towers, to preserve 
them from being burnt by the fire cast from the walls. In the midst 
of the havock, news arrived of Gelaleddin having defeated a Mogul ar- 
my near Gazna. Genghis swore in his rage that the city of Bamian 
and the Sultan himself should give him satisfaction. One of his grand- 
sons, during this fury, exposed himself, to please the Emperor, and was 
killed by an arrow shot from over the walls of the city. He fell dead 
at Genghis's feet; he was prince Octai's son. The Emperor, who ten- 
derly loved him, was mollified ; he groaned, and mixed his tears with 
those of the mother, who, in a state of distraction, wept over and bath- 
ed the body of her dead son with her tears. The Grand Khan, reco- 
vering somewhat from his sorrow, endeavoured to comfort this lady; 

* " Que d'un cote Ton se mette devant les yeux les massacres continuels des rois et des 
chefs Grecs et Romains, et de l'autre la destruction des peuples et des villes par ces memes 
chefs, Timur et Genghis Khan, qui ont devaste l'Asie; et nous verrons que nous devons au 
Christianisme, et dans le gouvernement uncertain droit politique, et dans la guerre un certain 
droit des gens, que la nature humaine ne sauroit assez reconnoitre. Esprit des Loix, L. 24, C. 3. 



INTRODUCTION. 9 

and left to her discretion the punishment of the inhabitants, when the 
city should fall. He lavished gold and silver on his soldiers ; and, at last, 
the walls were ruined and Bamian was taken. The mother of the young- 
prince, entering with the Mogul soldiers, could not be satisfied with the 
murders, but spared neither age nor sex. Not a single person was left 
alive. Even this dire revenge did not assuage her; but, with the un- 
distinguishing ferociousness of a brute, by the order of this affection- 
ate mother, the beasts and every living creature were killed. The 
mosques and houses were demolished, and the city was reduced to a 
heap of ruins. Since this dreadful fate, Bamian has borne the name 
of Maubalig, or the Unfortunate Dwelling. Octai was absent, and the 
Emperor commanded that the prince's death should not be made 
known to him. A short time afterwards, the Grand Khan called the 
family together: and, purposely, talking unintelligibly, Octai made 
no answer. " Whence comes it," said the Grand Khan, with a fierce 
look, "that you answer not, when I speak to you?" Octai, believing 
his father to be angry, threw himself immediately at his feet, and said, 
" My Lord, if I have displeased you, put me to death ; I will not mur- 
mur." The Khan made him repeat these words, and asked him, " If 
it were true that he so much feared his displeasure?" " Yes, my Lord," 
was Octai's reply. "Well then," said the Emperor, "Muatou Khan, 
your son, has been killed ; and I forbid you to abandon yourself to 
grief." It was not without much pain that Octai obeyed a command 
so contrary to nature; and, to diminish his affliction, his father gave 
him the command of an expedition*. 

It is probable that the populous North has not contained the multi- 
tudes generally attributed to it. The antient natives lived by pastur- 
age and hunting, and, consequently, did not in general build cities. 



* Petis de la Croix, p. 306.' 



10 



INTRODUCTION. 



Their cavalry was the best in the world*. When their population 
became strong enough, it required only an ambitious leader to take 
the field; and perhaps half, or more, of the nation would join him; all 
the principal persons taking their families with themf ; and they could 
recruit their armies out of the conquered provinces. The plunder being 
fairly divided, would command volunteers. When it is considered 
that these troops were in the habit of facing lions, bears, tigers and 
other beasts, in the manner described in Chapter I. the wonder at a 
million of such warriors overturning kingdoms and empires, perhaps 
enervated by peace and wealth, will cease J. 

Hindostan did not fall to the Mongols til! the year 1525; that 
Empire and Arabia excepted, the continent of Asia and part of 
Europe were overrun by Genghis Khan and his descendants in 
about eighty years; and the kingdoms were taken possession of, 
or subjected to heavy tribute. All the countries between the land 
communication from China and India with Europe, were then, and 
ever had been, enriched with the Asiatic commerce, and, conse- 
quently, possessed immense wealth §. The Cape of Good Hope was 
not discovered till near a century after Timur's death. Therefore, if 
extent of territory, number of subjects, and command of the greatest 

* Montesquieu, Grandeur et Decadence des Romains. Ch. XXII. 

■f Some of the Medes drove up several waggons loaden with things that the army was in 
want of. Some of them brought chariots full of the most considerable women, some of 
them legitimate, others of them courtezans, that were conveyed up and down on account of 
their beauty ; for, to this day, all the inhabitants of Asia, in time of war,, attend the service 
with what they value the most; and say, that they fight the better when the things that are 
most dear to them are present. Xenophon, Cyropaedia, B. IV. p. 103. 

J For the manner of fighting, see Timur's battle with the Emperor of Capshac, when he 
invaded Russia. It is in the note on Russia, Ch. V. of this volume. 

§ "The silk of China was conveyed by a caravan in eighty or a hundred days from Shen-si 
to the banks of the Oxus, where it was embarked and carried down the stream to the Cas- 
pian, and thence to Constantinople by the Cyrus, the Phasis and the Euxine." Robertson's 
Ancient India, p. 98. 



INTRODUCTION. 1 1 

wealth, with whatever havock obtained, can be justly deemed to make 
men illustrious, Genghis's family is the most so of any that are known 
ever to have existed " What are the conquests of Alexander com- 
pared with those of Genghis Khan * ?-■' Their character as conquerors 
makes the reader shudder with horror ; and it has aptly been said of 
them, that, ff Vanquished, they ask no favour; vanquishing, they show no 
compassion^" 

Justice requires that something should be said of the opposite 
quality of these persons, so awfully terrible as enemies; Genghis 
never let a good action go without its reward, nor virtue with- 
out commendation %. The fiercest of men were mild and just in 
their intercourse with each other §. "We are assured by the learn- 
ed author of the Dabistan, that the Tartars under Genghis were lovers 
of truth, and would not even preserve their lives by a violation of it ||." 
" Master George Barclay, a merchant in London, having travelled 
through Russia, went from Cracovia with a Tartar duke, who had 
come thither to sue for his two daughters, taken by the Polachs. He 
staid six months with the duke in his horde, which consisted of about 
a thousand household of one kindred. These Tartars sowed a three 
square grain called Totarca. They lived in such ease and delight, 
every day hunting, that, for worldly pleasure, he never, any where, en- 
joyed such a life; with such liking of his Tartar host as if he had 
been his son. They used to make sudden inroads on the Polachs ; 
the gentlemen of Poland not dining without their guns and soldierly 
serving men ready to give them entertainment. If the Christians 
make head against them, they know not where to find them. Re- 

* Montesquieu, Persian Letter, LXXXI. 

f Letter from Yvo de Narbone to the Archbishop of Bourdeaux. Hakluyt, Vol. I. 

* Abul Ghazi Bahadur, Vol. I. p. 147. 
§ Gibbon, Vol. VI. p. 290. 

|| Sir W. Jones, Vol. I. p. 65. 

C 2 



12 INTRODUCTION. 

solute they are, and will ride with their bows in the face of a 
piece*." 

The simplest spelling of eastern names has been followed. In refer- 
ring to various authors, the reader is perplexed by the different spelling 
adopted by several nations, according to the pronunciation of their own 
languages. Thus the French write Cha; the English Shah, Shaw; the 
Portuguese Xa; others write Scha, Shaugh, Sa. Kublai is written Cub- 
lay, Koplai, Cobila, Ho-pi-lai. Batou will be found written Bati, Baatti, 
Bathy, Baydo, Baiothuoy, Baythin, Baythus; so that it would some- 
times puzzle the reader to know to whom the name alludes, but for 
the facts connected with it. Khan is spelt, Can, Kawn, Cham, Cane, 
Cawn; — Khaan, Chagan, Khaukaun, are said to mean Emperor, or 
Khan of Khans. Mongol is spelt Mogulf , Mungul, Moal, Magore|. 
A list of the editions of many of the books referred to is at the end of 
the volume. 

Tt may here be observed, that in these researches, very frequent 
mention is made, in Asiatic histories, of Chain Elephants; which al- 
ways means elephants trained for war ; but it is not very clear why 
they are so denominated. One instance has occurred in the course of 
reading, long ago, but it is forgotten in what book, where it is men- 
tioned, that a chain being held in the elephant's proboscis, was 
wielded like a lash among the enemy, but no instance of a chain being 
thus used has been met with. I find in the Ayeen Akbery the follow- 
ing description of the arming of an elephant. " Teyeh — Five plates of 

* Purchas, Vol. I. p. 421. XVI Century. Bell of Antermony also speaks of their agree- 
able kind of life in eastern Siberia. See Chap. V. of this vol. 

f Before the conquest of Hindostan, Mongol was the usual spelling ; but with relation to 
that empire, Mogul has generally been preferred. 

% For the great difficulty there is in the orthography of Asiatic words in Roman letters, 
and the hopelessness of uniformity, the curious reader is referred to a dissertation by Sir W. 
Jones, Vol. I. p. 175. 



INTRODUCTION. 13 

iron, each one cubit long and four fingers broad, are joined together 
by rings, and fastened round the ears of the elephant by four chains, 
each an ell in length; and betwixt these another chain passes over 
the head and is fastened in the kellawek; and across it are four iron 
spikes with hatasses and iron knobs. There are other chains with 
iron spikes and knobs hung under the throat and over the breast, and 
others fastened to the trunk ; these are for ornament and to frighten 
horses. Pahher is a kind of steel armour that covers the body of the 
Elephant : there are other pieces for the head and proboscis. Gej- 
jhemp is a covering made of three folds, and is laid over the pahher*" 
The Grand Khan, Kublai, is said to have had five thousand ele- 
phants f. When it is recollected that he controlled nearly all the con- 
tinent of Asia, including so many kingdoms which produce elephants : 
that they were used in his wars, (which were principally against his 
rebellious relations in Siberia); that it is the invariable and indispensa- 
ble custom among the Mongols to send to each other presents of such 
things; that elephants were always employed on Kublai's journies 
and hunting expeditions; that they were sent to any distance to fetch 
rare trees for his green mountain, &c; the number will not be deemed 
extravagant, and especially when it is known that Asoph ul Dowla, 
nabob of Oude, kept considerably above a thousand, in his trifling dis- 
trict, merely for pleasure, they not being now considered, as they were 
before the introduction of fire-arms, a principal strength in warfare %. 
A gentleman of unquestionable veracity, at this moment, assures me 

* Ayeen Akbery, Vol. I. p. 125. 

j- In the emperor Akbar's establishment two hundred elephants were allotted to each toman 
(10,000) of cavalry. Ayeen Akbery, Vol I. p. 193. 

J Captain Hawkins, who was at Agra in 1607, two years after Akbar's death; and who de- 
livered a letter from king James to the emperor Jehanghir, and was received and treated 
with particular favour; relates that the emperor had " twelve thousand elephants: about five 
thousand with teeth, the rest females and young ones." Purchas, Vol I. (B), p. 593. 



14 INTRODUCTION. 

that he was on one of Asoph's parties, when above twelve hundred 
elephants were in the field. Instances will be found in this volume 
of numbers quite incredible ; but the author was not at liberty to alter 
the text. The Truth in Eastern history is often sufficient to remind 
the reader of the Arabian Nights ; the authorities are given, and every 
One, according to his knowledge, is expected to grant his belief only 
to what he may deem probable. It will not be just to charge the wri- 
ter with credulity. 

In these researches the chronology of Petis de la Croix has been 
adhered to as much as possible ; it is the most consistent, and agrees 
with the Chinese history. In some histories, there is as much as ten 
years difference in the date of some of the events ; but De la Croix 
is almost always a safe guide. 

If some parts of these researches should at first sight appear to the 
reader rather incongruous, they will, nevertheless, be found to bear 
directly or indirectly on the main object of this volume; as relating to 
the power, riches, customs or manners of the Romans and Moguls, 
and thereby, in the dearth of better materials, tending to prove that 
what they practised in one country, they probably also pursued and 
adopted in the others which were under their government. 

The writer takes this opportunity to acknowledge the assistance 
that he has had in these extensive researches from the excellent library 
of the Royal Institution. 



15 



CHAPTER I. 



Sketch of the History of the Grand Khans of the Mongols and 
Tartars, from the Birth of Genghis, A. D. 1154, to the Acces- 
sion of Kablai, in 1257. - — —Unparalleled Conquests. Gen- 
ghis' s Laws- Sieges of Samarkand and of Bochara. Im- 
perial Hunting Circle. A Courailtai, or General Council, 

held at Toncat. Description of Caracorom, the Capital of 

the Mongol Empire. 

Genghis KHAN, according to the eastern historians, was de- CHAP, 
scended from the most ancient conquerors, who have generally resided 
in the neighbourhood of the Altai, or Golden Mountains *. Kondou, 
in Daooria, or Dauria, an ancient place, considered to be the same 
with Tchindat-turookuoy, on the river Onon, in the province of Nert- 
shinsk, in Siberia, bears the reputation of having given birth to the 
greatest conqueror and destroyer recorded in the annals of mankind f. 
Ptolemy places the ancestors of the Mongols % in the parallels of 50° 
and 60°, and longitudes 120° and 140°. They are described as a dis- 
creet and valiant people §. 

* Abul Ghazi Bahadur, P. III. Ch. I. Petis de la Croix, B. I. Ch. I. 
f Captain Cochrane's Pedestrian Journey, p. 489. Lat. 50° 23', long. 114° 25', 
by Arrowsmith's large map. 

X Spelt also Mogul, Mung'l, Moal, Magor, Mogore, Mungall, 
§ Strahlenberg, p. 454. 



16 MARRIAGES OF TIMOUGIN. 

CHAP. Jouini, who died A. D. 1284, says, that Genghis Khan's country 
^^^/ was much to the east and north of the desert side of Tartary : that 
the Mongols were divided into tribes: and that Genghis's tribe, 
called Niron Caiat, was the only one that was civilized*. Genghis 
was the first who united all the Tartars of the vast regions above the 
latitude 50° westward (of Pekin), and 55° eastward f. 

The silver mines near the river Argun, formerly belonged to the 
Mongols. The rivulet near them is called, by the Mongols, Mun- 
gagoll: Munga signifying silver, and Goll a brook. By the Russians 
it is called Sercbrenkaia-reka, which also means Silver-river J. 

A.D. 1154. Timougin, afterwards surnamod Genghis, was born A. D. 1154 § 
His father, Pisouca Bahadur, was khan of Caracathay, an extensive do- 
minion || . Pisouca having been for some time a prisoner in the hands 
of the King of China, and being ill treated, made his escape. To aid 
his revenge he married his son Timougin, not thirteen years old, to 
the daughter of the khan of the Naimans, who had also cause to hate 

A.D. 1166. the Chinese monarch. Pisouca died, and was succeeded by Timougin. 

The nations under him revolted. His mother, a noble minded prin- 
cess, animated Timougin to set up his standard. He was taken pri- 
soner, but made his escape. 

A.D. 1168. Purta Cougine, another wife, daughter of the khan of Congorat**, 

* Petis de la Croix, p. 428. 
t Du Halde, Vol. II. p. 255. 

X Strahlenberg, p. 411. Abul Ghazi, Vol.1, p. 39. Isbrants Ides, in Harris, 
Vol. II. p. .933. 

§ The Chronology and principal events are generally from Petis de la Croix : 
many are from Abul Ghazi Bahadur. 

|| Between N. Latitude 50° and 55° — north east of Caracorum, by De 1' Isle's 
map to the life of Genghis Khan. 

** Congorat, on De 1' Isle's map, is in lat. 51°, and west of Lake Baikal. This 
wife was the mother of Genghis's four sons who succeeded him. 



TIMOUGIN'S MARRIAGES. 



7 



was taken prisoner and sent to Oungh * , khan of the Keraits, who CHAP, 
kept his court at Caracorum, as Grand Khan; and whom Timougin's v^^-^ 
enemies pressed to marry this lady himself : but, having been in friend- 
ship with Timougin, he treated her with the kindness of a father, and 
not long after restored her to her husband. 

Timougin sinks under the weight of his enemies, and takes refuge a.D. 1174. 
with Oungh Khan, who grants him an asylum, accompanied by his 
most faithful and brave forces, who were few in number. He, by his 
prudence and wisdom, gains the ascendency over the mind of Oungh 
Khan; whose daughter, charmed with the valour and person of Ti- 
mougin, falls in love with him ; and their marriage is celebrated with 
as much pomp as if it had been the Grand Khan's. Gemouca, a de- A.D. 1175. 
spairing and desperate lover of the princess, now Timougin's wife, ex- 
cites a conspiracy. Oungh Khan, dethroned by his brother Erkekara, A.D. 1177. 
flees, and takes refuge in Timougin's camp. A victory is gained over 
the Tanjouts. 

Timougin fights the confederate khans, and gains a most bloody 
victory. It was not known what became of Erkekara. Oungh Khan a,D. 1179. 
was re-established on his throne at Caracorum. 

Sungun, a son of Oungh Khan, succeeded in producing hatred and a.D. 1192, 
jealousy of Timougin ; who, fearing he might be seized, retired from 
Oungh Khan's court. 

Timougin is declared general of the confederate khans. The ar- A.D. 1202. 
mies of Oungh Khan and of Timougin meet in a plain called Tangut. 
The Grand Khan commanded in person, and his son was with him; 
both confident of victory. The battle was disastrous to Oungh Khan; 
he was wounded, lost forty thousand slain in the action, and the best 
of his troops went over to Timougin. The booty was immense. 



Spelt also Um, Un, Aunac, Ung. 



18 



TIMOUGIN DECLARED GRAND KHAN. 



CHAP. Oungh Khan took refuge with Tayan Khan, at whose court there 



were some Naiman lords, who persuaded Tayan Khan to put the 
Grand Khan to death; and he was beheaded. His son fled to Tibet, 
and lived in obscurity; but was seized as a spy, and executed. Ti- 
mougin took possession of all the Grand Khan's dominions, treasures, 
and palaces, by right of conquest. He was declared Emperor of all 
the Mogul nations, crowned, and all the khans bowed the knee nine 
times before their new Grand Khan. 



A.D. 1203. Timougin vanquished the khan of the Naimans, in a fight which 



lasted from the rising to the setting sun, most bloody and obstinate. 
The khan was wounded mortally, and the slaughter was terrible. Ge- 
mouca was taken prisoner, and torn limb from limb. In the midst of 
his tortures he declared, that had Timougin fallen into his hands, he 
would have served him the same *. 

Timougin returned to Caracorum, where, during the winter, his 
court was filled with ambassadors. 



A.D. 1205. Timougin established and arranged his army in tomans of ten thou- 



sand; regiments of one thousand; companies of one hundred; and 
smaller, of tenf. 

At the general diet at Caracorum. sitting upon his throne, and sur- 
rounded by the princes of the blood, the nevians, khans, emirs, and 
other lords, Timougin promulgated the Mogul laws, and took the 
name of Genghis Khan |. " By the first law, it is ordained to believe that 
there is but one God, creator of heaven and earth, who alone gives life 
and death, riches and poverty, who grants and denies whatever he 

* Abul Ghazi Bahadur, Vol. I. p. 87. 

t This arrangement is very similar to that in the Cyropaedia of Xenophon. — 
See B. XI. p. 46. 

X Spelt Zingis, Tchimkis, Jenghis, Tchinguis, Chungaze, &c. Zin is said to 
mean great, and gis is the superlative termination. 




GENGHIS KHAN'S LAWS.— ARMY. 



19 



pleases, and who has over all things an absolute power." All religions CHAP, 
were tolerated. Some of his children were Christians, and Jews, and s-»"-v-*»-' / 
Mahometans ; some, like himself, were Deists. 

"The enemy is not to be pillaged, till the general has granted 
leave, under pain of death. The meanest soldier is to share as the 
officers. There shall be a general hunting every winter, to exer- 
cise the troops. Every one of his subjects is to serve the state 
some way or other. Whoever steals an ox, or the value of one, is to 
suffer death: for less thefts, from seven to seven hundred blows, or 
to pay nine times the value of the thing stolen. Husbands are to 
be employed solely in hunting and war; all other occupations belong 
to women. Children born of the first wife are to be most respected. 
Adulterers are to suffer death. Governors of distant countries failing 
in their duty, are to suffer death. 

" The arms appointed, are the sabre, the bow, the battle axe, with 
some ropes. The officers to wear helmets, and breast-plates of lea- 
ther or iron, or an entire coat of mail. Soldiers who can afford it, 
are permitted to wear armour. The officers are strictly to examine 
the edges and points of the sabres*." 

Genghis takes Campion, the capital of Tangut, and the countries of ^.d. ^07 
Crequir and Cuchin. He vanquishes the Merkites, by the river Irtish: A D 12 qs 
he reduces the Rergis under his dominion. 

Genghis gives his daughter in marriage to the khan of the Yughurs. 
He invades China, entering by the great gate in the wall, and comes j^jy 
to action with the king, who loses thirty thousand men; the Em- 
peror loses a great many officers, and more soldiers than the Chi- 
nese. He makes peace, and obtains Cubcou Catune, the king's daugh- 



* For the whole of the laws, see De la Croix, p. 78. 
d a 



20 CONQUEST OF CAPSCHAC. — CATHAY. 

CHAP, ter, in marriage. — Returns to Caracorum with the princess, a tribute 
K^^^j of gold, silk, and five hundred young persons of each sex. Altan, 
king of China, leaves the government to his son, and retires to Nan- 
king*. 

A.D. 1211. Genghis invades the extensive country of Capschac, of which the 
principal rivers are the Volga, the Yaik, and the Irtish, and extend- 
ing northward to the Frozen Sea. This country had been subject to 
Oungh Khan. The whole kingdom submits ; and the Grand Khan 
returns to Caracorum, leaving half his army with his son Touschyf, 
to govern this new empire, the other half being sufficient for any un- 
dertaking. 

A.D. 1213. The Grand Khan quarrels with the king of China, who had ravaged 
a part of Caracathay. In consequence of indisposition, he appoints Sa- 
mouca Bahadur to take the command of the army, with the eldest gene- 
rals, khans, princes, and emirs, to invade China. The king, hearing that 
Genghis does not command in person, attacks the Moguls, and is 
driven back into his cities. The king's son, with the flower of the 
army, defend Pekin. The besiegers and the besieged were alike re- 
duced to the necessity of eating one another. The city, being under- 
mined, was taken, and no quarter given. The king poisoned him- 
self; and the northern half of China, and all Corea, were added to the 
Grand Khan's empire by Moucly Gouyanc, the general who was left 
in the command. Every thing of the plunder that was precious or 
valuable, was divided according to Genghis's law. 

A.D. 1217. Turquestan, of which the capital is Cashgar, is added to the em- 
pire by prince Hubbe. 



* Abul Ghazi, Vol. I. p. 91. 

f Spelt also Djoudgy, Giougy, Dzuji, Joujy, Zuzi. See Petis de la Croix, 
page 104. 



EXTRAORDINARY CREDENTIALS. 21 

Nessir, Calif of Bagdad, who was in enmity with Mehemed, King of CHAP. 
Carisme*, wishing to send an ambassador to Caracorum, found it al- 
most impossible; Mehemed's power reaching from the Caspian sea to 
the Indus. Nessir and Mehemed were both Mahomedans. The ca- 
lif's council were divided in opinion, but Nessir's policy prevailed. It 
was impossible to send any letter or paper ; which would, if discover- 
ed, cost the ambassador his life. It was therefore resolved to shave 
his head, and write his credentials by puncturing it with a needle, and 
colouring the marks with nil (indigo) f. He soon departed and ar- 
rived at the khan's residence, assuring Genghis of his master's esteem 
and affection. Having no credentials, and the Emperor expressing his 
doubts, the ambassador requested that his hair might be cut off; when 
Genghis read, that the calif promised to make war on the king of 
Carisme, if the Grand Khan would attack him on his side. Genghis 
assured him that if anything should, from the restless spirit of Mehe- 
med, occasion a quarrel, he would not fail to declare war. The envoy 
returned to Bagdad. Nessir drew on himself the reproaches of all 
Mahomedans by this act. 

Genghis was however desirous to live in amity with Mehemed king of 
Carisme, to establish a commerce for gold, stuffs, silks, silver, &c. An 
ambassador was sent attended by one hundred and fifty Mogul mer- 
chants, with gold and silver for purchasing merchandize. The governor 
of Otrar, pretending to suspect that this was a mission for the purpose 
of espionage, murdered the whole embassy, consisting of four hundred 
and fifty persons, except one, who fled to Mogulistan with all dili- 
gence. Genghis swears revenge. He sends ambassadors by another 
road to Mehemed, to demand an explanation. Mehemed beheads 
them. 

* Spelt also Charasm, Karasm, Kworasm, Chowarasm ; the ancient Corasmia. 
t It appears that this is an old practice; see Herodotus, Terpsichore, Ch. XXXV. 



2*2 TERRIBLE BATTLE OF OTRAR. 

CHAP. The Emperor with his four favourite sons, Touschi, Zagatai, Oktai, 
and Tuli, arrives near Otrar (on the Sihon) with seven hundred thousand 
A.D. 1218. troops. Mehemedhad collected from Khorassan, Balk, Persia, and the 
borders of India, four hundred thousand fighting men. His son, Gela- 
leddin, commanded the troops of Touran ; the king commanded in chief ; 
Mehemed crossed the Sihon to cover Otrar. The armies meet and 
immediately range in order of battle, in a place called Caracou. The 
great trumpet kerrenai, which was fifteen feet long, brass timbrels, 
drums, fifes, and other warlike instruments sounded the charge. Jou- 
gi Cassar, Genghis Khan's second brother, who commanded the van- 
guard, advanced towards the first ranks of the enemy, who immedi- 
ately detached some troops to charge him; but this prince defeated 
them. Then Gelaleddin began the general action by charging prince 
Touschi, who was at the head of the first body of Moguls : after a sharp 
dispute, Gelaleddin got the better, and the Carismeans shouted for joy. 

Genghis sent other troops under the command of Tuli to support 
his brother Touschi, while he himself, at the head of the main body of 
the army, with his son Zagatai, fell on the Sultan. The shock was 
terrible, and the left wing of the Moguls suffered greatly. The Caris- 
means, animated by the extraordinary bravery of their sovereign, main- 
tained their advantage as long as they were able : but being forced to 
give way, Gelaleddin, having beaten the troops sent against him, hasten- 
ed towards his father, and renewed the battle. On this occasion, Gela- 
leddin, his officers, and troops, performed actions of surprising valour. 
The slaughter was prodigious. Genghis now ordered his son Octai 
to charge the enemy in the flank: the fight continued till dark, when 
each party gathering up their wounded as well as they could, retired 
to their camps and fortified themselves, to prevent surprise in the 
night, with the design to renew the battle the next morning. When 
Mehemed found, on enquiry, that a hundred and sixty thousand of his 



TERRIBLE BATTLE OF OTRAR. 23 

troops had been killed and wounded, and the spies reporting how CHAP, 
much superior the Moguls were in number, he intrenched himself se- ^-»— r~^—> 
curely, and sent part of his army into the fortresses, keeping with him- 
self a flying camp for urgent occasions, and giving the command of 
the remainder of his troops to Gelaleddin ; who, not approving of his 
father's design, contrary to Mehemed's command, retired to Khorassan, 
and reinforced his corps. 

Genghis sent Octai and Zagatai with two hundred thousand men, 
to besiege Otrar; and Touschi, with one hundred thousand, to observe, 
westward. The Emperor and Tuli, with more than two hundred 
thousand, marched towards Bochara and Samarcand. After five A. D. 1219, 
months siege, and a most brave defence, Otrar was taken, and the nu- 
merous troops in it were butchered. 

Toncat, Cogende, and other places, were besieged and taken by 
Touschi Khan. Cogende was defended against Elac Nevian to the 
last extremity, by Timur Melee, who, when all hope was at an end, 
made his escape in seventy vessels, which he had constructed. They 
were plaistered over with a composition made of wet felt, kneaded 
with clay and vinegar, so that neither fire nor arrows could hurt them. 
He was accompanied by his friends and bravest warriors, with his 
most valuable effects. They escaped by causing a sally, and setting 
fire to the bridge. After fighting their way down the Sirr, as far as 
Toncat, they were stopped by a chain across the river ; and before 
they could sever the chain with files and hatchets, they suffered great 
loss, still being pursued by the Moguls. The prince, with his re- 
maining fighting men, landed, and the fleet escaped into a safe port 
belonging to Mehemed. After losing all his companions, Timur Me- 
lee was pursued by three Moguls : he killed one of them, and bribed 
the other two ; after which he arrived safely at Quent. Many years 
afterwards, he was in conversation with a Mogul prince, who, speak- 



24 SIEGE OF BOCHARA. 

CHAP. i n g to him contemptuously, was answered with spirit. A Mogul, who 
-\^»— was present, and who had formerly been wounded by him in the eye, 
charged him with disrespect, and killed him with an arrow. Thus 
fell the generous Timur Melee, who has been compared with the Rus- 
tans and other heroes. 



SIEGE OF BOCHARA. 



The walls of the city were very strong, and the outer wall was 
twelve leagues in compass. It included not only the suburbs, but also 
many pleasant seats, and five farms. The Moguls forced the outer 
wall in March. The Grand Khan, accompanied by his son Tuli, en- 
camped his army and invested the city in form. The three command- 
ers, with troops, basely deserted the city. They were overtaken by 
three thousand Moguls, defeated, and nearly all slain. The gates were 
opened to Genghis. The governor retired to the castle, resolved to 
defend it. The city was entirely filled with the Mogul cavalry ; they 
made stables of the libraries, and litter of the leaves of the Koran. 
The populace were inconsolable ; the wise men said, it was requisite 
to suffer, without murmuring, since it was the wind of God's anger 
blowing upon them. The Emperor addressed the principal men. He 
praised God for the favors he had received; declared that Gayer Khan, 
who was in chains, should lose his life for murdering his ambassadors 
by command of Mehemed ; whom also he would punish for his cruelties ; 
and that he would clear the earth of him and all other tyrants ; for he 
was inspired by God to govern all the kingdoms of the earth. He 
then ordered the inhabitants, in proof of their obedience, to discover 
all their hidden treasures ; and to be cautious not to conceal any of the 
Sultan's friends. In the city, being a place of great trade, there was 



SIEGE OF SAMARCAND. 25 

abundance of gold, silver, precious stones ; and rich gold and silver CHAP, 
stuffs. One part was carried into the royal treasury, the officers •^•^^^ 
had a large share, and the soldiers enriched themselves. The Mongul 
officers discovered that some of the inhabitants had sheltered a few of 
the Sultan's relations. The Emperor commanded that the city should 
be laid in ashes. The greater part of the buildings were of wood, 
stone being scarce. That great city, which in the morning was one 
of the most beautiful in all Asia, was, on that fatal evening, with the 
exception of the brick-built mosques and caravanserais, a heap of cin- 
ders and ruins. The governor of the castle, finding the place over- 
whelmed with pots thrown in, full of naptha and fire, and the gate in 
flames, surrendered at discretion. The castle was demolished, and 
the Sultan's principal adherents, who had so ill served their master, 
were put to death. 

Bochara was the seat of the arts and sciences: in the university of 
this city, the learned Avicena studied philosophy, and produced, in 
prose and verse, more than a hundred volumes, called The glorious 
Works. It is observed too, that he extremely loved wine and women. 
(He died, aged 58, A. D. 1036). 



SIEGE OF SAM ARC AMD. 

After the taking of Bochara, prince Touschi joined the Emperor, 
his father, in the camp, within one day's march of Samarcand, at this 
time the capital of Transoxiana, and the Maracandis, capital of Sogdi- 
ana, of Pliny and Strabo. The city was now in circuit about three 
French leagues, surrounded by an outer wall, better built and fortified 
than that of Bochara; having twelve iron gates, distant a league 
from each other. At every two leagues there was a fort able to hold 

E 



FLIGHT OF THE SULTAN OF CARISME. 

a great body of troops ; and the walls were fenced with towers and 
battlements. The city was well supplied, by leaden pipes, with wa- 
ter, and fountains and cascades ; and very fine gardens, every house 
having one. From the top of the fortress one sees nothing but trees, 
roofs of houses, ploughed lands, gardens, and even mountains and val- 
lies, within the outer wall. 

The Sultan Mehemed, king of Carisme and all Persia, had retired 
from Samarcand, notwithstanding the Mongol Emperor's endeavours 
to prevent him. Expecting that place to be besieged, he had caused 
sixty thousand Turks, and fifty thousand Persians, under commanders 
of renown, to enter it ; he had also twenty of the biggest and strong- 
est elephants ; and so many people had taken shelter there, that the 
place, extensive as it was, could hardly contain them. 

The Emperor, having arrived before Samarcand, marked out the 
posts which the generals were to occupy. When the engines were 
ready, he caused several places to be attacked at the same time : these 
attacks were sustained with great courage, and some of the best troops 
sallied out, and overthrew all they met with ; but, perceiving a fresh 
reinforcement of Mongols, they retreated in good order into the city, 
with a great many prisoners. Discord crept in among the besieged ; 
some, feeling certain of death if the place should be stormed, were for 
surrendering the town. But Alub Khan, the governor, trusted to 
numbers and valour, and was for defending the place to the last ex- 
tremity, in the castle and best posts of the city. The cady and muf- 
ti were deputed by the other party to wait on the Emperor. After 
they had saluted him, he asked them— What was their business? 
They replied, to intercede for the besieged ; to beg pardon for the 
resistance they had made, and to assure the Khan, that they were not 
false to their duty ; but that they found themselves constrained by a 
superior power ; which convinced them, that it was God's pleasure 



ESCAPE OF THE GOVERNOR. 27 

they should submit to the Great Genghis Khan; whose clemency CHAP, 
they implored for themselves, and those of their friends who were in v s-*~ v ~ 
the city. The Grand Khan received them with civility ; and, fearing 
to drive the city to despair, he granted the cady and mufti life and 
fortune, and also all of their party; but firmly refused favor to the 
rest. 

He sent commissioners to take possession of the gate they were to 
deliver to him. The cady, mufti, and more than fifty thousand per- 
sons came out, and were distributed by hundreds in the fields. The 
governor resolved to seek better terms by resistance, or to die glori- 
ously. For four days they could not force him to yield; the fifth, 
having lost all the posts but the one he defended in person, he re- 
solved to perish ; or, with his chief officers, and a thousand chosen 
horsemen, to break through the Mongol camp. They surprised the 
camp, and, in spite of resistance, effected their escape. 

The forces remaining in the city lost all courage, and the Mongols 
were soon masters of the place, which they plundered, ruined the 
walls, and put to death thirty thousand Turks of tribes that had been 
subject to the Sultan's mother, amongst whom was the prince of 
Cangouli, and some petty princes. All the people they intended to 
make slaves of, men and women and above thirty thousand tradesmen, 
were ordered out of the city, and distributed among the princes, ge- 
nerals, and other officers of the army; and the soldiers loaded them- 
selves with the spoils. The rest of the inhabitants were pardoned, 
on paying two hundred thousand dinars, or crowns of gold. 

The reduction of Samarcand pleased the Emperor, he not expect- 
ing so soon to reduce it. He put the city into condition, reposed his 
troops, and prepared for other enterprises. 

At Gheucserai, without the city, Gayer Khan, the governor of 
Otrar, was put to death by the Emperor's orders. 

E2 



TEN COFFERS OF JEWELS. 

" Samarcand," says Abulfeda, " where the sky is perpetually clear, has 
fine stone buildings and public market-places, and has considerable com- 
merce with Great Tartary, India, and Persia, from whence all sorts of 
merchandize are brought ; and this city furnishes Hindostan with the 
best fruits, green and dried. The silk paper made here is the finest in 
the world. There is a famous academy of sciences. An Usbec 
prince is at present lord of the city: he is much greater than the khans 
of Bale or Bochara, who are also Usbecs. These three petty princes 
are almost always at war with the king of Persia, and are leagued against 
him*." 

The Sultan Mehemed having escaped the vigilance of Genghis 
Khan, the three famous generals, Hubbe, Suida, and Emir Touquer, 
each with ten thousand cavalry, were despatched in pursuit of him. 
" Go, (said the Emperor), do no injury to those who yield, give no quar- 
ter to those who oppose you ; penetrate even to Derbend in Georgia ; 
raise troops; spare no pains to seize the Sultan, and bring him to me." 

Mehemed had fled to Nishabour, and from thence to Bestam, a 
strong city. Here, in the castle hall, he sent for Omar, one of the stew- 
ards of his household ; he shewed him ten coffers, which were sealed 
with the royal signet, and asked him if he knew what they contained ? 
The emir answered, No. Well then, said the Sultan, they are filled 
with jewels, among which are several of inestimable value, and no man 
in the world except these two (who were present) knows what is in 
them. He then ordered Omar to see them carried to the fortress of 
Ardahan. 

Mehemed had raised some troops, and having arrived in Irac Agerai, 
his son, Rucneddin, the governor, joined him. He had now twenty 

* Abulfeda died A. D. 1331. The Usbecs were sovereigns of Samarcand when 
De la Croix compiled the life of Genghis, which see, p. 228. Abul Ghazi, P. VII. 
Ch. II. 



MISERABLE FATE OF THE SULTAN. 

thousand horse. The Mogul generals surprised him at Farzine, and CHAP 
cut to pieces the best part of his cavalry. The rest fled. The Sultan 
escaped by cross roads and arrived at Astrabad. Here he remained, 
concealed from the eager enquiries of his pursuers. A lord of that 
country, whose uncle Mehemed had put to death, to be revenged, 
headed some Moguls, discovered his route, and was told by some pea- 
sants, that the Sultan was in a town near the Caspian sea, where he 
assisted at the prayers in the mosque. It is said, that the unfortunate 
monarch, at hearing the Alcoran read, melted into tears, and made 
many vows with a loud voice, that if God would deliver him from his 
danger, and re-establish him on his throne, he would govern his peo- 
ple with gentleness and equity. The traitor lord led on the Moguls, 
and the Sultan had but just sufficient time to escape into a ship at the 
sea shore, the Moguls vainly shooting their arrows after him; some 
even swam after the vessel and were swallowed up by the waves. 
The Sultan's sufferings brought on a pleurisy, which became so vio- 
lent, that he was obliged to stop at a desert island called Abiscon. 
Here, in a profound melancholy, Mehemed's sentiments were divided, 
whether to chuse life or death. £1 How uncertain a dwelling, said he, 
is the world! Is it possible that of my immense territories no more re- 
mains but two cubits' length to hold my body?" 

His son, Gelaleddin, having discovered this retreat, with two of his 
brothers, secretly arrived. " Prince, said the afflicted parent, you are 
the person who, among all my children, are the most able to revenge 
me on the Moguls; I therefore revoke the act, made at the request of 
the queen my mother, in favor of Coutbeddin. He then gave his 
sword to Gelaleddin, and commanded those who were present to obey 
him. Under the cover of a little tent, this mighty king expired: and 
the first gentleman of his bed-chamber washed his body and wrapped 
it in a shirt, having nothing more. Some time afterwards, Gelaleddin 



THE QUEEN TURCAN CATUN. 

had the bones disinterred; and removed with great pomp to Ar- 
dahan. 

Turcan Catun, queen of Tekish, the king of Carisme, sometime de- 
ceased, was mother of Mehemed. She was daughter of Hanqueschi, 
a king in Turquestan; who dying without male issue, his subjects 
went over to Mehemed, and thus greatly extended his empire, which 
reached from the Caspian sea to the river Indus, This gave the 
queen almost absolute authority in her son Mehemed's dominions. 
She had seven secretaries of state, men of the greatest abilities in the 
empire, and was called "Lady of the world; protectress of the faith; 
and queen of women :" she wrote with a very large pen, very curious- 
ly, so as not to be counterfeited. She was just, assiduous, and was 
beloved by the poor. Her signature was obeyed in preference to her 
son's, when each issued a command. But she was cruel. She put to 
death twelve children of sovereigns, who were in her power as pri- 
soners. She hated the famous Gelaleddin, who was the eldest son of 
Mehemed, on whom she had prevailed to name Coutbeddin, whom 
she loved, as his successor. But before his death, Mehemed annulled 
that will, and named his eldest son Gelaleddin to succeed to the crown. 
On this, Turcan Catun resolved to abandon the empire, considering 
Gelaleddin's mother to be her mortal enemy. She left the city of Ca- 
risme, with the wives and concubines of Coutbeddin, and their child- 
ren, and loads of gold and jewels. She took for her guide, a khan, 
named Omar, who conducted her to Mazenderan. She retreated into 
the citadel of Elac, having put to death Omar, her friendly guide, lest 
he might betray her. Genghis learned from his spies where the queen 
was ; and his general Hubbe besieged the place closely, for nearly four 
months ; when the queen was forced to capitulate. She was sent with 
all her treasures and court to Genghis. There had been an opportu- 
nity to escape to her grandson Gelaleddin; but her hatred of him was 



IMPERIAL HUNTING CIRCLE. 



31 



invincible and implacable ; and she wished him all sorts of mischief, CHAP, 
declaring that she would prefer any slavery to all he could do for her. v«^» v ^. 

Coutbeddin's children were all put to death. The Queen was 
treated with the vilest indignities, and carried about in triumph, by 
Genghis Khan, through the territories which she had governed*. 

Nishabour, Herat, and Merou were besieged and taken by Tuli 
Khan } from Gelaleddin. Nishabour was battered by twelve hundred 
engines, and other instruments of warf. Neither house nor mosque 
was left standing The havock, misery and slaughter were tremendous. 
'Tis said that the incredible number of seventeen hundred thousand 
Carismeans were slain in Nishabour, (which had often been the capi- 
tal of Khorassan), and its dependant cities and country. After many 
sieges, and horrible bloodshed, the west part of Carisme was added to 
the empire; the capital of which was taken after a siege of seven 
months. 



Genghis Khan, being at Termed in the midst of the winter of 1221, 
a season that prevented him from prosecuting the war, ordered a great 
hunt, to keep his soldiers in action j. Touschi Khan, the Emperor's 

* The treatment of Perseus and his children by Paulus iEmilius, and that of the 
beautiful and accomplished Zenobia by Aurelian, were as barbarous. A Briton 
may reflect with pleasure on the humanity and delicacy of the conduct of the 
Black Prince towards his unfortunate royal captive. 

+ The Mongols had Chinese engineers. 

J This is a very ancient custom, as we may suppose that Xenophon represented 
real manners in his Cyropaedia. " They are careful to keep up these public hunt- 
ings, and the king, as in war, is in this their leader, hunts himself, and takes care 
that others do so, because it seems to be the truest method of practising all such 
things as relate to war." Cyropaedia, B. I. p. 9. It does not appear that the Per- 
sians hunted in the grand stile of the Mongols. 



AN IMPERIAL HUNTING CIRCLE. 



IMPERIAL HUNTING CIRCLE. 

eldest son, Master Huntsman of the empire, being absent, the Emperor 
commanded the nevian, his lieutenant, to prepare the chase ; and di- 
rected what circumference of ground they must encompass. The of- 
ficers of the army were to follow at the head of their troops, according 
to the prescribed laws concerning hunting. The officers having led 
their soldiers to the rendezvous, they ranged them round the space 
which was encompassed, in the manner of a thick hedge ; sometimes 
doubling the ranks about the circle, which the Huntsman had appoint- 
ed. They neglected not to remind the troops that it was as much 
as their lives were worth, to let the beasts escape out of the ring, 
which was an immense number of leagues in circumference, and in- 
closed a great number of groves and woods with all the animals that 
lived in them. The centre of this great inclosure, whereto all the 
beasts must retire, was a plain marked out by the Huntsman. 

The officers of the chase immediately dispatched couriers to the 
lieutenant-generals for the orders given for marching: the nevian 
himself went to receive them from the Grand Khan, and gave them 
to the couriers, who conveyed them to the hunting officers ; having 
well observed where the Emperor's quarters were, and in which di- 
rection he would advance. On the couriers' arrival, the orders were 
communicated to the captains. The kettle drums, trumpets, and 
horns sounded the general march, which began every where at the 
same time, and in the same order. The soldiers marched very close 
together, and always towards the centre, driving before them the 
beasts. Their officers were behind, observing them; all were armed 
as if on a martial expedition; with helmets of iron, corslets of leather, 
bucklers of wicker, scimitars, bows, quivers full of arrows, files, hat- 
chets, clubs, cords, packing needles and thread. It was forbidden to 
kill or wound any animal, whatever violence the beast offered. — 
They were to shout and frighten the game from passing the in- 
closure; for the Emperor so ordained. Thus they marched every 



IMPERIAL HUNTING CIRCLE. 

day, driving the beasts before them. All that is practised in war, was 
punctually observed, centinels relieved, watch-word given. Thus, for 
some weeks, they marched without interruption; but a river, not every 
where fordable, caused a halt: the beasts were driven into it and 
swam across; the soldiers passed over upon round pieces of hide, 
bound together; several being seated upon one of these bundles of lea- 
ther, each of which was tied to a horse's tail ; the horse drew it across the 
river, following a person that swam before. Now, the circle lessening, 
and the beasts finding themselves pressed, some ran to the mountains, 
some to the valleys, some to the forests and thickets; whence, scent- 
ing the hunters, they fled elsewhere. They retreated to holes and 
burrows ; but spades, mattocks, and ferrets, brought them out. 

The beasts now began to mix, some became furious, and toiled the 
soldiers greatly to keep them in the circle, and to drive them from 
mountains and precipices ; but not an animal escaped their vigilance. 

Couriers went from different quarters to advise the Grand Khan of 
what was passing, and to give him news of the princes who shared 
the diversion and confusion of the chace. The Emperor kept a strict 
eye on the conduct of the troops. The wild beasts being now hard 
pressed, the strong leaped on the weakest, and tore them in pieces; 
but their fury did not last long. 

The timbrels, drums, and other instruments, were now played upon; 
which, with the shouts and cries of the soldiers, so affrighted these 
wild animals, that they lost all their fierceness. The lions and tigers 
grew gentle ; bears and wild boars, like the most timid creatures, 
seemed cast down and amazed. 

The trumpets being sounded, the Grand Khan entered the circle 
first, holding in one hand his naked sword, and in the other his bow; 
his quiver was across his shoulder. He was attended by some of his 
sons, and all his general officers. He himself began the slaughter, 



IMPERIAL HUNTING CIRCLE. 

striking the fiercest beasts, some of which became furious, and en- 
deavoured to defend their lives*. At last, the Emperor retreated to 
an eminence, seating himself upon a throne prepared for him. From 
thence he observed the strength and agility of his children, and all the 
officers who attacked the savage animals. Whatever danger they 
ran, yet no one avoided it or gave back, but rather showed more ea- 
gerness, well knowing that the Grand Khan, by this, would judge of 
their merit. 

After the princes and lords had had their sport, the young soldiers 
entered the circle, and made a great slaughter of the various animals. 
Then the Emperor's grandsons, followed by several young lords of 
the same age, presented themselves before the throne; and, by a 
speech made after their manner, desired that his Majesty would give 
the beasts that remained their lives and liberty ; which he granted 
them, praising the valour of the troops ; who were dismissed and sent 
back to their quarters. Those animals which had escaped the arrows 
and scymitars got away, and regained their forests and dens. 

Thus, the hunting at Termed ended, which had lasted four month s, 
and would have continued longer, if it had not been feared that the 
spring would surprise them whilst employed in these sports, when 
the war must be prosecuted. At length, the spring drew near, and 
the Carismean soldiers being already arrived, they had not a long 
time to rest; for Genghis Khan put himself at the head of his troops, 
about the end of March, to pass over the Oxus ; and afterwards 

* Cyrus, when in the flower of his age, was fond of dangerous hunting. Once, 
when a bear rushed upon him, he closed with it and was torn from his horse, when 
he received those wounds of which he ever after bore the scars : at last he killed 
the bear. The person who first ran to his assistance, he made a happy man. Xe- 
nophon's Expedition of Cyrus, p. 37. It is probable that Genghis was well pro- 
tected by his troops. 



SLAUGHTER OF MONGOLS AT CANDAHAR. 



35 



went towards Bactriana, where the Sultan Gelaleddin had got an CHAP, 
army together. 'w- Y — *- 

The Mongols were besieging Candahar, when Gelaleddin learned, 
from his spies, that they were in no apprehension of any succours ar- 
riving to the relief of the besieged. Gelaleddin, having persuaded 
Emin Melee to join him with ten thousand Turkish cavalry, attacked 
them so unexpectedly in the dead of night, that the Mongols before 
that citadel were seized with fear, and the whole of their army were 
slain. The booty they had accumulated on their march was divided 
between the troops of Emin Melee and those of the brave Gelaleddin. 
The plunder that had been taken from the inhabitants of Candahar 
was restored. 

Gelaleddin, who had retired to Segestan, raised twenty thousand 
men, and arrived at Gazna. His subjects received him with affection. 
Genghis, who was besieging Bamian, had sent a force towards India, 
and received accounts that his general had been totally defeated by 
Gelaleddin ; who had returned in triumph to Gazna. 

H erat revolted against Genghis ; who now blamed prince Tuli for 
not having put all the inhabitants to the sword. " I forbid you," said 
he, "to show mercy to my enemies without an express order from me. 
Know, henceforward, that compassion resides only in mean souls. 'Tis 
only rigour that keeps men to their duty ; and a vanquished enemy is 
not tamed, but will ever hate his new master." 

Gelaleddin, with a reinforcement of 30,000 Turks, defeated 80,000 
Mongols near Gazna. Genghis, still before Bamian, attacking it with 
every kind of warlike engine, by which wildfire and even mill stones were 
thrown into the city, saw his grandson fall dead at his feet, killed by 
an arrow shot from over the walls ; at which he showed the profound- 
est grief. Bamian was taken ; and, at the instigation of the youth's 



F2 



GENGHIS'S CRUELTY.— DEFEAT OF GELALEDDIN. 

mother, every living being was slaughtered. Genghis followed Gela- 
leddin to the banks of the Indus ; where, after a conflict of ten hours 
against three hundred thousand Mongols, Gelaleddin's army was so 
dreadfully defeated, that he had only seven thousand left out of thirty 
thousand; with which he ventured, from his strong position, to op- 
pose Genghis: and, lest he should be taken alive, he hastily embraced 
his mother, wives and children, mounted a fresh horse, and plunged in- 
to the rapid Indus. Genghis hastened to the bank, and the heroic 
Gelaleddin continued, while crossing the stream, to shoot several ar- 
rows at him and his retinue, Genghis said, turning to his children, 
" Any son should wish to spring from such a father; and a wise man 
who has him for his enemy, must always be on his guard." (After vari- 
ous attempts to recover his dominions, Gelaleddin was killed by treach- 
ery in Curdistan, in the year 1230). 

Genghis finds that his army is diminished by two hundred thousand 
troops. The strong places in the antient Media and Georgia are re- 
duced by his generals. Moultan, on the Indus, is taken. Herat 
and Gazna are taken by prince Octai, and most of the inhabitants 
are put to the sword, in obedience to the cruel commands of Genghis, 
The generals Hubbe and Suida take Shamakie, march by Derbend, 
and take Astracan, having made the circuit of the Caspian sea. Geng- 
his leaves Persia, and passes the winter at Samarcand, 

ASSEMBLY OF THE STATES AT TONCAT. 

" God never made a more delicious dwelling than the city of Ton- 
cat," was a common saying. Purling brooks watered almost every 
street; the suburbs and country seats, were delightful. The gar- 



GRAND ASSEMBLY OF THE STATES. 

dens were full of fruit trees, murmuring fountains, and most charming 
walks. There was in this city an academy of arts and sciences. Geng- 
his Khan had been a year in Sogdiana, where he had remitted many 
taxes for life, and had given the great lords of the country marks of 
his affection, being pleased with their deportment towards him. But 
the general joy was damped at seeing the queen Turcan Catun, and all 
the great officers of the empire, led in triumph, followed by the ladies 
of the Haram and Mehemed's principal lords. The throne and the 
crown were borne in state. Thus the Grand Khan marched towards 
Toncat. (A. D. 1224). 

The imperial princes repaired to court. Octai from Gazna, Zaga- 
tai from Otrar, Touschi from the frontiers of Muscovy; the last of 
whom, on coming into the Grand Khan's presence, knelt; and the 
Emperor gave him his hand to kiss, as he did also to the other two. 
The presents laid at the foot of the imperial throne were very consi- 
derable; but Touschi, besides several rare things, presented his father 
with a hundred thousand horses; twenty thousand of which were 
white, twenty thousand black, twenty thousand grey, twenty thousand 
spotted, and twenty thousand brown bay. The Emperor testified, by 
his caresses and rich gifts, how satisfied he was with the conduct of 
his sons. 

A banquet was given, which lasted a whole month ; for which were 
supplied thousands of beasts and birds of all kinds by the Khan's fal- 
coners; exquisite wines, sherbet, cammez, and hydromel. 

There also arrived the governors of Catai, Mongolistan, Iran, Ca- 
racatai, Touran, and the khan of the Yugures; also many sovereign 
princes who had voluntarily submitted to the Grand Khan. Although 
the plain of Toncat was seven leagues long, it could hardly contain the 
tents and attendants of these great personages. The greatest part 
had brought their moveable houses. These houses were built upon 



IMPERIAL TENT.— PRIDE OF GENGHIS KHAN. 

wheels, with very long beams upon the axle-trees, and resembled Eu- 
ropean tents ; some covered with felt made impenetrable to rain, others 
with stuffs of various colours ; and were of all sizes. Some take to 
pieces. Each requires from two to thirty oxen to draw it. The small 
tents were pitched round the large ones of the great lords ; and every 
door opens to the south. The oxen are the finest ornament of these 
equipages. Those from Tangut can only be purchased by rich per- 
sons. They are extremely strong, have hair like horses, and their tails 
are white and soft as silk. In some places camels are used. 

The Grand Khan's quarters were two leagues in compass; with 
streets, bazars, and public places. The tent for the Diet held two 
thousand persons. It was covered with white, and contained a 
magnificent throne; on an eminence was placed the black felt car- 
pet, upon which Genghis sat when he was proclaimed Grand Khan. 
This carpet was held in veneration as long as the empire lasted. The 
tent had two open entrances, one of them for the Emperor, through 
which no other being dare pass, of what quality soever, though no 
guard was placed. On the tents were streamers of divers colours, of 
the richest silks. The saddles and horse furniture were set with pre- 
cious stones. The habits of the great lords were of gold and silver 
stuffs and rich silks; the weather being still cold, they wore next 
their skins, sables and fine furs from Russia and Siberia; and over 
their habits, great coats of wolf skins. 

Zagatai had put the laws of the empire into so good a train, that 
little remained to do but to ratify them : at which the legislator was 
greatly rejoiced. 

The Grand Khan, who delighted in an. occasion to make an oration, 
spoke highly in praise of his laws; declaring that they were the cause 
of all his conquests, and of the power the Mongols now shared with 
him. He took occasion to recount his victories; naming every sove- 



REVOLT OF THE PRINCE OF TANGUT. 

reign prince he had conquered; not excepting the prince of Tangut, 
who was there present. Not content to relate the number and names 
of the subdued kingdoms, to convince the diet of his greatness, he or- 
dered that all the ambassadors who had followed the Court, should be 
called into the imperial tent, and also all the envoys and deputies of 
various countries. They appeared at the front of the throne ; he gave 
them audience : and then dismissed the assembly. 

Prince Touschi returned to Capshac; his two generals, having 
delivered over the command of the troops, returned to the Grand 
Khan; who soon set out, attended by them and all his court, always 
making the captive queen follow him, mounted on a chariot, and loaded 
with irons, to shew to the eyes of the nations a proud monument of 
his victories. On the march, he gave an hour's conversation each day 
to the two renowned generals, Hubbe and Suida, to relate to him their 
expeditions, and the rarities they had come to the knowledge of in the 
strange countries they had been in ; and they had something new to 
satisfy the Emperor's curiosity till their arrival at Caracorum, the seat 
of his empire, and which became a famous and populous place. 

Genghis had grandsons, whom he had not seen for seven years. 
Kublai aged ten, and Hulacou one year less, were in the city. Their 
inclinations, and pursuit of hunting, endeared them to Genghis. 
The first became Grand Khan of the Moguls, and Emperor of all 
China; the latter, King of Persia. 

Schidascou, the subdued sovereign of Tangut, intrigues with the 
southern Chinese and the oriental Turks, who were disposed to second 
him against Genghis. The Emperor's army arrived, much fatigued, 
at Caracorum, in 1225. After the troops had rested, the usual hunt- 
ing was proclaimed, though the winter was very severe. Before it 
was ended, Genghis received news that Schidascou had got together 
a considerable army. The generals were ordered immediately to col- 



IMPERIAL MARRIAGE FEAST.— WAR. 

lect the troops, and to clothe them in coats lined with sheep skins, 
and to cover the horses with felt. 

The preparations for war did not stop the diversions of the court. 
There were many marriages between the princes and princesses of 
the imperial family. Public feasts, suitable to their quality, and ma- 
ny horse races were exhibited. The soldiers who were laden with 
plunder, purchased and married the handsomest maidens. 

Some troops marched to Tangut. Schidascou was startled at the 
news, not expecting them till spring. The weather is not warm in 
Tangut till June. The Mogul troops did not advance for fear of be- 
ing surprised. The Emperor reviewed his army, and sent a hundred 
thousand troops for China, fearing a revolt if he should not be suc- 
cessful. He then marched with the rest to Tangut. He found that 
he should have, when joined with the forces already there, three hun- 
dred and fifty thousand. His army was divided into 1 ten bodies. Zaga- 
tai and Octai commanded the two first. Hubbi, Suida, Caraschar, 
and other distinguished generals, commanded the rest. But all of 
them were subject to prince Tuli. There was a flying camp for the 
instruction of his grandsons, Kublai and Hulacou. 

The army crossed a desert of forty days' journey, took the city of 
Azine, and reposed. 

Schidascou had five hundred thousand troops mostly furnished by the 
Chinese of Manji. Genghis, whose troops were from Carisme, In- 
dia *, Geta, and other places, and much inferior in number, advanced, 
thinking he had the advantage of discipline over inexperienced sol- 
diers. The Mogul officers, though very rich, and the troops also, 
were, by Genghis's orders, dressed very plainly. Schidascou's were 
in clothes of gold, silver, and silk. 

* Meaning the contiguous countries west of the Indus. 



GREAT DEFEAT OF THE KING OF TANGUT. 

Schidascou sent a hundred thousand horse to attack the vanguard 
of the Moguls, hut they could not make any impression on them; 
and they retired to the main army with loss. 

Genghis advanced, and the armies came in sight of each other. 
Schidascou's army covered a large space. Genghis took a position 
on an extensive lake, still quite frozen. The Moguls had quickly the 
advantage, but the generals Mayan Khan and the prince of J urge 
withstood their fury; and, charging the two wings of the Emperor's 
army, killed thirty thousand of his troops. This success was fatal; 
for, believing the Moguls defeated, they continued the fight with- 
out keeping their ranks ; and the corps de reserve coming up, Schi- 
dascou, who shewed extraordinary bravery, was vanquished. It is 
said, that he lost three hundred thousand soldiers on that dreadful day. 
After this victory, Genghis marched against the Turks of Jurge, who 
submitted. He passed the next winter in the west of Tangut, mean- 
ing to conquer Southern China. 

News arrived of the death of the Calif of Bagdat. New levies were 
ordered; and Genghis secured to himself the countries dependant on 
Tangut. There needed so fertile a country, and of such vast extent, 
to subsist so numerous an army for so long a time. The conquest of 
the rest of China appeared not difficult to Genghis; and he said, that 
he now wished for nothing more than the good of his subjects. But 
his prosperity and joy were to be turned into sorrow. While he was 
diverting himself in the midst of his family, he was informed by a 
courier from Capschac of the death of Touschi Khan, his eldest son. 
The whole court was afflicted. The Emperor shewed at first much 
constancy of mind; but fatherly affection got the better of him, and 
he fell into a profound melancholy. 

An officer arrived from Schidascou to entreat that the Emperor 
would forgive his revolt, and accept his services. Genghis gave him 

G 



42 



GENGHIS KHAN'S GRIEF AND DEATH. 



CHAP, audience, and promised to grant Schidascou his friendship. The ar- 
v^-v-^ my was encamped near a forest, in a marshy country, on the road to 
China. The Camp, of tents and moving houses, had the appearance 
of a large city. 

Genghis, finding himself extremely ill, ordered all his sons, their 
children, and the princes of the blood, into his presence. He placed 
himself upright, notwithstanding his pain ; and, with his usual majes- 
tic look, which commanded awe and respect, even from his children 
and the sovereigns of the East, he told them, that he found his spi- 
rits sunk, and that he must prepare for death. " I leave you," said 
he, " the greatest empire in the world; if you would preserve it, be 
united, and observe the laws which I have established; but, if you 
walk in the paths of dissention, your subjects, that is to say, your ene- 
mies, will soon be masters of your empire." He named his third son, 
prince Octai, for his successor, as Khan of Khans ; and all the rest, 
bowing the knee, cried — " What the great Genghis Khan ordains 
is just, and shall be obeyed without disputing." The Emperor died 
A.D. 1226. towards the latter end of the year, in the seventy-third year of his 



Eight days after the Emperor's decease, which was kept secret, 
Schidascou, accompanied by his children and some lords, arrived. 
An appearance of rejoicing, as if for the Emperor's recovery, was put 
on, to inveigle him into the camp. He and his party were all put to 
death, according to orders left by Genghis*. By this bloody trea- 
chery, Tangut was annexed to the empire of the Moguls. After this, 

* Abul Ghazi relates, (p. 144), that Genghis received the envoy with great civi- 
lity, but did not put himself under any positive engagement with respect to Schi- 
dascou ; who was afterwards besieged in his capital, (Campion), captured, and put 
to death, but Genghis's unsparing cruelties sanction the suspicion of any political 
enormity whatever. 



age. 



TOMB OF GENGHIS KHAN.— DIVISION OF HIS EMPIRE. 



in 



the Emperor's decease was made public, and the grief and consterna- CHAP, 
tion were general. w^y***. 

The Grand Khan was buried with the utmost respect and magnifi- 
cence, with all the pompous ceremonies of the Mogul religion. His 
corpse was interred according to his own desire, under a tree of sin- 
gular height and beauty, where, in his return from the chase, some 
days before he fell sick, he had rested himself with much satisfaction. 
A most noble monument was erected upon his grave. The people 
who came to visit the tomb, planted other trees around it; which so 
artfully covered it, and in such beautiful order, as rendered it, in time, 
one of the finest monuments in the world. It is in latitude 39°, longi- 
tude 108° north of the great wall. There was a great resort of sove- 
reigns to the court for six months, to comfort the afflicted princes. 

Genghis Khan had numerous wives and concubines. The five 
daughters of Oungh Khan, of the King of China, of the Khans of the 
Naimans, Congorat, and the Merkites, principally shared his esteem ; 
the daughter of the last was a remarkable beauty. He left a prodigi- 
ously numerous progeny; but his four favourite sons and successors 
were all born of one mother, Purta Cougine, the Congorat Khan's 
daughter: the rest of the princes were appointed and limited to petty 
governments. 

Touschi, was the eldest of Purta Cougine's sons, the second was Za- 
gatai, the third Octai, and the fourth Tuli. Genghis having studied 
their tempers, had appointed Touschi to be Master Huntsman of the 
empire, the most considerable post; the Mongols being obliged to ex- 
ercise themselves in the Huntings. Zagatai, was chief judge, and di- 
rector of all the courts of justice in the empire. Octai from his 
prudence and wisdom, was chief counsellor. The affairs of war were 
committed to Tuli, and he was paymaster to the royal camp or golden 
horde. At the death of Genghis, the empire remained, nearly, as he 
had divided it during- his life. 



DIVISION OF GENGHIS'S EMPIRE. 

Touschi, the eldest son, just deceased, was succeeded in the sove 
reignty of Capschac by Batou his eldest son ; a name terrible to Rus- 
sia, and alarming even to Europe*. For a description of Capschac, 
see Chapter II. 

Zagatai had for his part Transoxiana, the country of the Yugures, 
Cashgar, Badachshan and Bale. 

Tuli had Chorassan, Persia, and India (so called) west of the Indus. 
He died while in Catai (or Cathay), with Octai, in 1229. 

Octai, the new Grand Khan, kept for his division Catai or the north- 
ern half of China, the conquest of which he completed, Tangut, Corea 
and eastern Siberia. His army consisted of fifteen hundred thousand 
troops. He usually resided at Olougyourt, a city not far from Cara- 
corum, where he made a park for game, many miles in circuit, and 
greatly embellished both these cities f. Octai was, according to 
eastern historians, a more virtuous and enlightened monarch than 
Genghis. He had much warfare and some success against the Chi- 
nese of Manji J ; and his armies subdued the Sultan of Iconium and over- 
ran Asia Minor. " Octai died," says Mr Tooke, "in consequence of a 
propensity worthy of this universal despot, (the effects of a fit of drunk- 
enness) ; and his death saved Asia for a time, and Europe for ever. An 
interregnum of four years succeeded. The widow of Octai (the cele- 
brated Tourakina Catun),by whose intrigues that prince was thwarted 
in all his ordinances, now set herself up as regent of the empire ; in 
which office she was continually making innovations, that tended to ge- 
neral mischief. 

* A. D. 1238. The inhabitants of Gothia and Frize were prevented, by their 
fear of the Tartars, from sending as usual their ships to the herring fishery on the 
coast of England: and, as there was no exportation, forty or fifty of these fish 
were sold for a shilling. Gibbon, Ch. LXIV. note 28, (from Mat. Paris, p. 396). 

f This khan's name is spelt sometimes Ugadai, Oceadai. 

$ Levesque, Vol. II. p. 78, Vol. VII. p. 18, says, " he finished the conquest of 
China :" but it was only Catai, or the northern division, as will appear in Ch. II. 



PRIME MINISTER, A GOOD AND GREAT MAN. 



15 



" Ilidchutzay, a descendant of the dethroned imperial house of the CHAP. 
Kitanes, died of grief, at the increasing desolation of the coun- s^-v-w' 
try which was now become his second home : he found all his efforts 
to no purpose; he was a truly great and noble minded man, and 
first officer of state under Octai. He polished the Mongols, and in- 
troduced the arts and sciences among them, as far as he was able. He 
saved millions from their impending fate from the savage Mongols; 
and highly merits to live in the hearts of mankind. On his death, in- 
stead of the vast treasures that were expected, no property was found 
in his possession, except several books, composed by himself, on history 
astronomy and political economy, collections of coins, maps, pictures, 
&c. Who does not feel satisfaction in finding one man, worthy of 
that name *, among such a horrid crew of blood-thirsty barbariansf ?" 

Keyouc succeeded his father Octai; he was not crowned till the A.D. 1241. 
year 1244. A description of his magnificent coronation is given in 
the chapter on Siberia. He is there named Cuyne, (a probable mis- 
print), Keyouc died in 1246. 

Mangou, son of Tuli, through the influence of Batou, succeded to A.D. 1246. 
the empire. In 1251 he gave a feast at Caracorum, in which were 

* In the character of this great man, we may feel the full force of the poet's 
remark : 



" Court-virtues bear, like gems, the highest rate, 
Born where heav'n's influence scarce can penetrate : 
In life's low vale, the soil the Virtues like, 
They please as beauties, here as wonders strike. 
Though the same sun with all diffusive rays 
Blush in the rose, and in the diamond blaze, 
We prize the stronger effort of his power, 
And justly set the gem above the flower." 



fTooke, Vol II. p. 5 to 13. Carpin relates that Octai was poisoned; and that 
his concubine and her confederates were executed while he was at the court. 
Hakluyt, Vol. I. p. 66. 



Pope, Moi-al Essays, Ep. 1. 



SUCCESSORS OF GENGHIS KHAN. 



CHAP, consumed for seven days, daily, eight chariot loads of wines, two of 
K^-^^j brandy, twenty of kumis (mare's milk made sour, and twice distilled in 
an earthern pot), which is as clear and as good as aqua vita, made from 
grain ; three hundred horses, three hundred cows, and two thousand 
sheep for the kitchen*. Mangou had succeeded his father Tuli in 
the government of Chorassan, Persia, &c. which, during his life, conti- 
nued under the Grand Khanate, and were governed by his brother Hu- 
lacou, as viceroy. He died in 1257 before the city of Cheu (Ho-cheu), 
which fell afterwards to Kublai f. The extensive country called Thi- 
bet, was conquered with difficulty, and cruelly desolated in this khan's 
A.D. 1257. reign. (Marco Polo p. 412). Kublai succeeded his brother Mangou, 
and resided in China. By his command, Hulacou mounted the throne 
of Persia, &c. For the history of Kublai see Chapter II. 



This conqueror, a grandson of Genghis, reduced Russia and 
western Siberia: he afterwards, with half a million of troops, ravaged 
Poland, destroyed Cracow and Lublin; entered Moravia, Dalmatia, 
Bulgaria, Bosnia, and other countries. Massacre and destruction 
marked his course. He invaded Hungary to go and besiege Constan- 
tinople: but his projects were arrested by death in 1256. 

William De Rubruquis, a monk, was sent as ambassador from St 
Louis to Tartary and China in 1253 J. " When I beheld the court 

* Abul Ghazi, Vol. I. 159. and Vol. II. 403. 

f Sir William Jones, Vol. I. p. 101. At the funeral of Mangou, it is asserted 
that vast numbers of human beings were slain, to attend their deceased master : 
although this is the only mention of such a horrid custom having been actually 
practised at the funeral of a Mogul Grand Khan, it is to be feared that it may be 
true. See M. Polo, p. 200, note 381. Petis de la Croix, p. 382. Herodotus, 
Melpomene, LXXI. 

% Louis IX. had been informed, falsely, by a Mongol khan and the Armenian 



BATOU, KHAN OF CAPSCHAC. 



AMBASSADOR OF ST. LOUIS AT THE COURT OF BATOU. 47 

of Batou," says Rubruquis, " I was astonished ; the houses and tents CHAP, 
were like some mighty city for the space of three or four leagues (Se- <^*-v— ^ 
rai, was then being built). The court is called Orda. A large tent was 
erected, and the day following we attended at court. Batou sat upon 
a seat, long and broad like a bed, gilt all over, with three steps to as- 
cend ; and one of his ladies sat beside him. The men sat promiscu- 
ously, on the right and left of the lady. At the entrance of the tent 
was a bench, furnished with kumis, and with stately cups of silver and 
gold, richly set with jewels. We stood bare-foot and bare-headed, and 
were a great and a strange spectacle in their eyes. We bowed our 
knees, and stood for a space wherein a man might have rehearsed the 
psalm miserere mei Dens; and there was a profound silence. Batou 
beheld us earnestly, and we him: he seemed to resemble, in person, 
Monsieur Jean de Beaumont, whose soul resteth in peace, for, like him, 
he had a fresh ruddy countenance. 

" Batou asked — ' If your Majesty had sent an ambassador to him 
or no?' I answered — 'that your Majesty had sent ambassadors to 
Ken Khan, and letters to Sartach, (these were Batou's sons, and his 
viceroys between the Volga and the Don), being persuaded that they 
had become Christians.' The guide directed us to kneel on both 
knees; and we were commanded to speak. Then I, thinking of a 
prayer unto God, because I was upon both knees, began to pray — 
' Sir, we beseech the Lord, who hath given you these earthly bene- 
fits, that it would please Him, hereafter, to make you partake of His 
heavenly blessings, because the former, without these, are vain and 
unprofitable, and you will not obtain the joys of heaven, unless you 
become a Christian.' 

ambassadors, that the chiefs of the Mongols had embraced Christianity. The 
Mongols having vanquished the Saracens in Asia Minor and Syria, Louis courted 
their alliance. See Mezeray, A. D. 1249. 



JOURNEY TO CARACORUM. 

" At this, Batou modestly smiled. The other Moguls began to clap 
their hands, and deride us ; and my silly interpreter, from whom I ex- 
pected comfort, was utterly out of countenance. After silence, I 
said — ' I came to your son, because we heard he had become a Christ- 
ian, and brought him letters from my lord the King of France ; and 
your son sent me to you : the cause of my coming is therefore best 
known to yourself.' The khan caused me to rise: he enquired your 
Majesty's name, and my name, and caused them to be written down. 
He demanded — ' Against whom you waged war?' I answered — 
" Against the Saracens, who had defiled the house of God at Jerusa- 
lem." (Batou was a Deist, his successor became a Mahomedan). He 
asked me — ' If your Majesty had ever sent him an ambassador be- 
fore?' I answered — ' To you, Sir, never.' He then gave us milk to 
drink, and kumis, a special favor. 

, " As I sat looking down on the ground, he commanded me to lift up 
my countenance ; being desirous yet to take a more diligent view of us. 
Then we departed. The guide said — 6 Your master, the king, re- 
questeth that you may remain in the kingdom; which request Batou 
Khan cannot grant, without the consent of the Grand Khan, Mangu: 
wherefore you and your interpreter must go to him at Caracorum.' — 
(Fifty-seven degrees to the east!) 

" We set out ; and of hunger, thirst, weariness, and cold, there was 
no end. In the morning, we had a little drink, or some boiled millet; 
in the evening, some ram's mutton, or broth. Zinghis, the Great 
Khan, had four sons, from whom proceeded many children; every 
one of which doth at this day enjoy great possessions: and they are 
daily multiplied and dispersed over that huge and vast desert; which 
is in demensions like the ocean. Our guide led us to many of their 
habitations, and they marvelled exceedingly that we would not re- 
ceive gold, silver, or precious garments, at their hands. They en- 



COURT OF CARACORUM. 



49 



quired about the Pope, and asked if it was true, that he was five hun- CHAP, 
dred years old*? We saw many wild mules. ^-v-**. 

" We arrived at court. I could no longer go barefoot, the cold was 
extreme : and in May, it froze in the morning and thawed in the day. 
There is no wind in the coldest weather, or nothing could live. 

" At the end of April, the streets of Caracorum were so full of snow, 
that it was removed in carts. 

" Mangu Khan has at Caracorum a large court, near the walls of the 
city, inclosed with a brick wall ; where is a great palace, in which a 
grand feast is held at Easter, when he passes that way, and in sum- 
mer when he returneth ; all the nobles meet here, and he displays his 
magnificence. 

" Within the walls of the court there are also many dwellings, about 
the size of our farm-houses. William Bouchier, the goldsmith, had 
made, because it was indecent to have flaggons going about as in 
taverns, a silver tree and four silver lions, and four pipes to convey 
to the top of the tree and spread downward, through four serpents' 
tails, from which were conveyed wine, caracosmos, hydromel, and tera- 
cina (made from rice), into silver vessels, at the foot of the tree. At 
the top was an angel holding a trumpet; the boughs, leaves, and fruit, 
on the tree, are all silver. When the angel sounds the trumpet, the 
liquors are poured out and served to the company. 

The palace is like a church, having two rows of pillars, and three 
gates to the south. Before the middle gate, is the tree; and the 
khan sits on the north front, on a high place, ascending by two flights 

* The Delai Lama, who is the pope of those vast regions, never dies : his soul 
being discovered in the body of some child, by tokens known only to the priests : 
and always in one of that order. 



H 



PALACE AND CITY. 

of steps : by one, the cup bearer mounts, and descends by the 
other. 

" The Grand Khan sits above, like a god. On the right are his 
sons and brethren; on the left, his wives and daughters; one of the 
Empresses sits beside him, but not so high. 

" We arrived near Caracorum on Palm Sunday; we blessed the 
willow boughs, which had yet no bud. We entered the city about 
nine, carrying the cross aloft; passing through the street of the Sara- 
cens, where the market and fair are, to the church ; and the Nesto- 
rians met us in procession. Mass was said, and they communi- 
cated. 

" Master William, the goldsmith, brought us, with joy, to his inn, 
to sup with him; he had a Mahomedan wife, who was born in Hun- 
gary, and could speak the French and Comanian languages. We 
found there one Basilicus, the son of an Englishman, born in Hunga- 
ry, and who was skilful in the same languages. 

" Next morning the khan entered his palace. I much deliberated 
whether I should go to him with the monk and the priest, seeing 
their actions were full of idolatry and sorcery ; but, fearing offence, 
I went, and prayed for the whole church with a loud voice; and also 
for the khan himself, that God would direct him in the way of sal- 
vation. 

" The palace was full of men and women ; the court of which was 
very neat; the rivers, in summer, being conveyed to every place, 
whereby it is watered. 

" The city of Caracorum is not so good as the Castle of Saint De- 
nis ; and the monastery of Saint Denis is worth ten times the palace. 
There are but two streets ; one for the Mahomedans, where the fairs 
are kept; and many merchants resort thither by reason of the court, 



DEPARTURE OF THE MONK RUBRUQUIS. 



51 



and the number of ambassadors. There is also a street for the Ca- CHAP, 
thayans. Without those streets, there are great palaces, which are \^- v -^ h . 
the courts of the secretaries*. 

" On our arrival, we, and all strangers, severally, were called be- 
fore Bulgai, the chief secretary, and diligently questioned ; for Man- 
gu Khan had been told, that four hundred assassins had gone forth, 
in divers habits, to kill him f . His mother is a Christian, and Mas- 
ter William is her servant. 

" Having had permission to stay two months, and five being gone 
by, I was sent for, and the khan asked me — ' If I would have gold, 
silver, or costly garments?' — which I declined; but said, we have not 
wherewith to bear our expenses ; on which, he provided for us all ne- 
cessaries to pass through his country. s You came from Batou 
Khan, and must return that way,' said he. I then said — ' I would 
request your Magnificence, when I have carried your letters, that it 
may be lawful for me to return.' He held his peace, as it were in a 
muse. My interpreter desired me not to speak; and Mangu Khan 
said — ■ Make yourself strong with food;' and he caused them to give 
me drink, and I departed. If I had been endowed with power to do 
wonders, as Moses did, peradventure he had humbled himself. 

" I saw, at Caracorum, the ambassador of the Khan of Bagdat, and 
one from a Soldan of India, who brought eight leopards, and ten hare 

* Some account of the ruins of Caracorum and Olougyourt is given in the fifth 
Chapter. 

t In 1262, Hulacou, King of Persia, sent an army, and besieged the old man 
of the mountain for three years. The old man was put to death, his castle dis- 
mantled, and his paradise destroyed. Marco Polo, p. 112; where there is a full 
description and notes. This inhuman being, and his subjects, pretended that 
they were descended from Arsaces, founder of the Parthian empire. They were 
for that reason called Arsacians ; which has been corrupted into the word Assas- 
sins. See Abul Ghazi Bahadur, Vol. I. p. 185, note. 

H2 



THE GRAND KHAN'S LETTER TO LOUIS IX. 

hounds, taught to sit on the horses' buttocks, as leopards do, for hunt- 
ing. There were ambassadors from the Soldan of Turkey, who 
brought rich presents; they told the Grand Khan he wanted not 
gold or silver, but men ; and that he required of him an army* 

" We would not wait for company to travel by the towns or vil- 
lages, but we went high in the north, it being summer, and found no 
towns, but many tombs. We descended from the north to Serai, 
where Batou's palace stands, just one year after we had departed. 
When I left Serai, we met with one of Batou's sons, with many fal- 
coners and falcons. We proceeded through Derbend, by the river 
Araxes, and Turkey, to Cyprus*. 

" The substance of the long letter of Mangu to St. Louis, is — ■ There 
is but one eternal God in heaven ; and on earth, but one lord, Geng- 
his Khan. The man, called David, who said he was our ambassador 
to you, was a liar. You sent ambassadors to Sartach, Sartach sent 
them to Batou, and he to me, as the greatest. If you will obey us, 
send ambassadors, and we shall know if you will have war or peace. 
If you lead an army against us, to know what we can do, the eternal 
God himself alone knows that.f" 

* St. Louis was then at Cyprus. It was in the year of Rubruquis' return, that 
this king requested Pope Alexander IV. to appoint Inquisitors in France ; where 
the butchery of heretics was horrible. See Rees's Cyc. " Inquisition." 

f William de Rubruquis, in Harris's Voyages, Vol. I. p. 556. The letter was 
in the Mongol language, but in the Yugurian characters. The lines were from 
the top to the bottom, and multiplied from the left to the right. The Monguls 
adopt the Yugurian character in preference to their own. P. de la Croix, p. 96. 



a 




G-BAEU KHAI 01 THE IOIGOLS AIB TARTARS : 
C ommaiLdm.g in. a 1 attle f o u.g lit 
1 e twe en P eMn h, Sit ena in whic h. yr ex e Ifcifoked Jpnl.II ^JJitf 

860,000 Comiatants . 



53 



CHAPTER II. 



Of the Grand Khan Kublai, whose domination exceeded that of 

Augustus. Conquest of Matiji, or South China; Bangal- 

la ; Burmah; fyc. Numerous Elephants received in tri- 
bute. Rebellion in Siberia. Invasion of Java. Inva- 
sion of Japan. Pomp and Splendour of his Court. Mag- 
nificent Hunting Expeditions. Failure of Attempts to con- 
quer Hindostan. 



The Roman Empire, in its utmost grandeur, under Augustus Cae- 
sar, comprised not near the extent of territory, number of subjects, or 
riches of this Mongul Emperor ; the fruits of less than eighty years *. 
Kublai was the third son of Tuli, (who was the fourth son of Genghis 
Khan,) a distinguished general, and treasurer of the army and the royal 
camp. Kublai was born in the year 1214. ^ D 

* The Roman empire was two thousand miles in breadth from the wall of Anto- 
ninus in Britain and the northern limit of Dacia, to mount Atlas, and the Tropic 
of Cancer. It extendedin length more than three thousand miles, from the West- 
ern Ocean to the Euphrates. Gibbon, Chapter I. 

The Mongul empire was two thousand four hundred miles in breadth from Yu- 
nan to latitude sixty : and in length, from the sea of Japan to the Don, upwards 
of four thousand miles. The comparison is therefore enormously in favour of 
Genghis's family. 




54 KUBLAI'S PERSON DESCRIBED. 

CHAP. The first pleasure the Emperor enjoyed, on his return to Caraco- 
v^^v-w^ rum, was the sight of some of his grandsons, whom he had not seen 
for seven years. Among these were two, of whom he had conceived 
A.D. 1224. great hopes: their names were Kublai and Hulacou; the first, about 
ten, the other nine years old. They continually employed themselves 
in hunting, a disposition much admired by the Mongols. 

The Grand Khan was so extremely pleased at their courage and in- 
clination for this sport, that he gave them employments near him ; and 
took the trouble to instruct them himself. On the march to Tangut, 
the emperor ordered a flying camp for the instruction of these two fa- 
vourite grandsons, who became so famous in history. In 1226, Geng- 
his Khan died. 

The Grand Khan Mangu, some years before his death, appointed 
Kublai viceroy of the conquered part or northern half of China. 

When Mangu was killed in China, his brother Kublai was pro- 
A.D. 1257. claimed Grand Khan. He is described as of " the middle stature, his 
limbs well formed, and his whole figure of a just proportion, His 
complexion is fair and occasionally suffused with red, like the bright 
tint of the rose, which adds much grace to his countenance. His 
eyes are black and handsome, his nose is well shaped and promi- 
nent*." 

The youngest brother, Articbouga, opposed Kublai's advancement 
to the throne of the empire, and set up his standard, at the head of a 
large army, at Caracorum : he had also a great party in the Chinese 
provinces, who favoured him. 

After several battles, in the last Kublai gained a bloody victory. 
His brother was taken prisoner, closely immured, and died at the end 



* Marco Polo, p. 281. 



CONQUEST OF BANGALLA. 



55 



CHAP. 



of a year*. After this war, Kublai resided entirely in China: first, at u 
the capital of Shan-si, and afterwards at Pekinf. 

From 1268, during the whole reign of Kublai, to 1294, he carried A.D. 1268. 
on a war with his nephew, Kaidu, who was very powerful. The bat- 
tles were generally fought on the banks of the Irtish J, 

In a great battle with the king of Mien and Bangalla, the Grand 
Khan's general captured more than two hundred elephants. From A.D. 1272. 
this period the Grand Khan has always chosen to employ elephants in 
his armies, which before that time he had not done. By this victory 
his majesty annexed to his dominions the whole of the territories of 
the king of Bangalla and Mien §. Mien is a magnificent city ||, the ca- 
pital of a kingdom, a former monarch of which, when he was near his 
end, gave orders for erecting, on the place of his interment, two pyra- 
midal towers, ten paces in height, entirely of marble, each terminat- 
ing with a ball; one of these pyramids was adorned with a plate of 
gold an inch in thickness. The tomb was covered with a plate part- 
ly of gold, partly of silver. Around the balls were suspended small bells 
of gold and silver, which sounded when put in motion by the wind. 

* Petis de la Croix, p. 399. Levesque says, Kublai was the youngest brother; 
but he gives no authority for that assertion. 

f Pekin is the Chinese name, meaning the northern Court. Khanbalig or 
Cambalu is the Tartar name, signifying the city of the Khan or sovereign. See 
Notes to Marco Polo, B.II. Ch. VII. Du. Halde, Vol. I. p. 215. Mr. Bell, chap. 
XI. says " On the 15th of February, 1721, 1 took a ride round the walls of the city 
which I performed at an easy trot in four hours ; whereby the compass of Pekin 
may be nearly computed. The suburbs, especially to the east and south, are ve- 
ry extensive, and, in many places of them, the buildings are equal to those within 
the walls. 

$ See Chapter V. on Siberia. 

§ Marco Polo, p. 441. For some account of the battle, and for the description 
of this Bangalla, see chapter VII. 

|| Could this city be Ava ? see Marco Polo, note 864. 



BURMAH.— ZIAMBA.— TRIBUTE OF ELEPHANTS. 



This sepulchre was respected by the Grand Khan's commands, the 
Tartars never violating the tombs of the dead. In this country were 
found many elephants, handsome wild oxen, stags, rhinoceroses, and 
other animals, in abundance*. 

Thibet belongs to the Grand Khan, having been conquered and de- 
vastated by Mangu Khan. Tigers have multiplied to an astonishing 
degree. Here are found the musk animals, and wild oxen, extremely 
large and fierce, both of which are hunted with their immense dogs. 
There are also laner falcons and sakers, with which the natives have 
good sport t. 

Tholoman (Burmah) is subject to the Grand Khan. The people 
are tall and good looking, their complexions rather brown than fair. 
They are just in their dealings and brave in war. Many of their 
towns and castles are upon lofty mountains. They burn their dead. 
Abundance of gold is found here. They use porcelain shells for the 
small currency J. 

Ziamba, (by Cochin China,) is tributary to the Grand Khan. The 
king presents to his imperial majesty annually a very large quantity of 
lignum aloes, (highly esteemed as a perfume for baths and for incense 
at funerals), together with twenty of the largest and handsomest ele- 
phants to be found in his districts, which abound with those ani- 
mals §. 

The countries between China and Bengal, (Pegu, Siam, Tonquin, 
&c), where there are abundance of elephants, rhinoceroses, and other 
beasts, were reduced to the power of the Grand Khan, and paid him 
tribute ||. 



* M. Polo, pp. 447, 449. t M. Polo, p. 457. 

f M. Polo, p. 412. i § M. Polo, p. 583. 

|j See Marco Polo, B. II. Chapters XLVI. XLVII. XLIX. and note 378. 



SUMATRA— RHINOCEROSES— PIGMIES. 

In the reduction of Cochin China, the Grand Khan lost vast num- 
bers of troops, by the effects of the climate*. 

The Grand Khan lays claim to the whole island of Sumatra; Marco 
Polo visited six of the eight kingdoms in that island ; some of which 
acknowledge the khan's authority. They have many wild elephants ; 
rhinoceroses much inferior in size to the elephants, but their feet are 
similar, the hide resembles that of a buffalo, and they have a single horn ; 
and goshawks black as ravens. They have certain small apes, in 
their faces like men, which they put in boxes and preserve with spices. 
They sell them to merchants, who carry them through the world, show- 
ing them for pigmies or little men. When ships pass by, the opportu- 
nity is taken to send to the Grand Khan hawks and other curious ar- 
ticles f". 

CONQUEST OF MANJL 

While Li-Tsong had only the south provinces of China under his A.D. 1280. 
dominion; the western Tartars possessed the empire of the north. 
Their king, Kublai, was skilled in the sciences, and beloved by his sub- 
jects for the respect he showed to learned men, and the honour he did 
to the memory of Confucius. Li-Tsong dying without issue, (1264), 
was succeeded by Tu-Tsong, a profligate and infamous prince. His 
ministers seeing no remedy for the misfortunes which were ready to 
fall on the imperial family, retired to the western Tartars; whose ar- 
my having overrun the provinces of Yunnan, Se-chuen and Shen-si, 
entered that of Hu-quang, and most of the cities opened their gates ; 
while the wretched Tu-Tsong, drowned in pleasures, was stripped of 



57 



CHAP. 
II. 



* See Grosier's Description of China, Vol T. p. 300. 
t M. Polo. p. 603. And in Harris's Voyages, p. 620. 



DESTRUCTION OF THE IMPERIAL FAMILY. 

his dominions by degrees, without knowing any thing of the matter. 
He died in the year 1274, aged twenty-five, leaving three young child- 
ren, who were born to be the sport of fortune. Kong-Tsong, his se- 
cond son, was placed upon the tottering throne. 

The empress, who governed the empire for her son, sent ambassa- 
dors to the Tartar sovereign, to demand peace ; offering to submit to 
the most hard and abject terms. But that inexorable monarch replied: 
" Your family owes its rise to the monstrous infamy of the last prince 
of the preceding dynasty : it is therefore but just that the remaining 
princes of the family of Song, who are infants also, should give place 
to another family." 

Meantime, Pe-Yen advanced with a numerous army of Tartars, 
subduing all before him. This general is highly praised, both for his 
prudence in conducting two hundred thousand men with so much fa- 
cility ; and for his modesty, which was so extraordinary, that, in the 
midst of all his victories, he never dropped the least word in his own 
praise. He took the emperor prisoner, who died in the desert of Kobi, 
or Shamo, and was succeeded in his empire and misfortunes by his 
brother, Twantsong, in the year 1276. The victorious march of the 
Tartar obliged this emperor to go on board of his fleet, with the lords 
of his court, and a body of one hundred and thirty thousand soldiers 
which remained with him, designing to retire to the province of Fo- 
Kyen; but, being closely pursued by the Tartars, both by sea and land, 
he was obliged to fly to the coast of Quan-Tong, the most southern 
province, where he died of a disease, aged eleven years, in 1278; and 
was succeeded by his brother Ti-ping. 

The Chinese fleet, being overtaken by that of the Tartars, could 
not avoid an engagement, which was very bloody and decisive in favor 
of the Tartars. The prime minister, Lo-syew-se, to whose care the 
Emperor had been entrusted, seeing his ship surrounded by the Tar- 
tarian vessels, took the young prince, who was but eight years of age, 



JAPAN INVADED.— ARMY ALL LOST. 59 

in his arms, and threw himself into the sea. The rest of the lords and CHAP, 
ministers followed his example. The Empress, quite distracted, with v^-v-^ 
dreadful shrieks, also flung herself into the ocean*. This terrible ca- 
tastrophe happened near an island dependant on Quang-chu-fu 
(Canton). 

Another general, who commanded a part of the Chinese fleet, hav- 
ing forced his way through the enemy, and escaped their fury with 
some of his vessels, endeavoured to make to shore, but was driven off 
by a violent storm which just then arose: and he and all his followers 
were sunk at once. It is affirmed, that above a hundred thousand 
Chinese perished in this fight, either by the sword or the water, into 
which vast numbers threw themselves, in despair. Thus ended the 
dynasty of the Song, and with it the dominion of the Chinese. Kub- 
lai took possession of his conquest, and was the first emperor of the 
dynasty called Ywen, under the name of Shi-tsuf . 

The Grand Khan was excited, by the reports he heard of the wealth a.D. 1283. 
and greatness of Japan, to make the conquest of that country. An 
army of one hundred thousand men embarked at the ports of Kinsai 
and Zaitun; and reached the island. A storm arising, and the two 
commanders falling into dissention, the whole of the troopn were lost 
in the waves, or made prisoners ; only three or four returning J. 

Nayan, a near relation of the Grand Khan, proprietor of a consi- A.D. 1286. 
derable district in Leaotong, becoming very powerful, formed the de- 
sign, in concert with Kaidu, a relation of both parties, of usurping the 
sovereignty. Kublai, on hearing this, collected the whole of the 

* It is said, that the reigning empress of the Song dynasty was treated at Pekin 
with the greatest humanity, where she died, in the year 1281. See Marco Polo, 
B. II. Ch. LV. 

t Du Halde, Vol I. p. 213. 

t M. Polo, p. 569, and Du Halde, Vol. I. p. 215. 

12 



BATTLE OF EIGHT HUNDRED AND SIXTY THOUSAND MEN. 

troops stationed within ten days' march of Pekin : they consisted of 
three hundred and sixty thousand horse : and one hundred thousand 
foot, being principally his falconers and domestic servants. In twen- 
ty days they were all in readiness. Kaidu had promised to join Na- 
yan, with one hundred thousand horse. Nayan's force consisted o 
four hundred thousand horse. 

The Grand Khan proceeded with such celerity, that in twenty-five 
days, by forced marches day and night, he arrived near a range of 
hills, on the other side of which Nayan lay encamped, having no in- 
telligence of the Khan's approach, the passes having been secured. 
The Emperor allowed his troops two days' rest. When, early in the 
morning they ascended the hills, they found Nayan negligently posted. 
He was asleep in his tent, accompanied by one of his wives. He now 
lamented that his junction with Kaidu had not been effected. 

The Grand Khan took his station in a large wooden castle, borne up- 
on the backs of four elephants *, whose bodies were protected with 
coverings of thick leather hardened by fire, over which were housings 
of cloth of gold. The castle contained many cross-bow men and 
archers; and on the top of it was hoisted the imperial standard, 
adorned with representations of the sun and moon. 

A fierce and bloody conflict was for a long time undecided. At 
length Nayan, being nearly surrounded, attempted to escape, but was 
made prisoner and conducted to the Grand Khan, who gave orders for 
his being put to death. He was smothered between two carpets and 
shaken till the spirit had departed from his body, in order that the 
sun and air should not witness the shedding of imperial blood. Those 

* It appears that it is an old custom in Persia, to use four elephants a-breast. 
" The senate decreed Gordian III. to represent him triumphing after the Per- 
sian mode, with chariots drawn with four elephants." Augustan Hist. Vol. II. 
page 65. 



ATTEMPTS TO CONQUER JAVA. 61 

of the troops which survived, swore allegiance to Kublai. Nayan had CHAP, 
undergone the ceremony of baptism, and a vast number of Christians -^-v«»w 
were among the slain*. This battle was fought about half way be- 
tween Pekin and Siberia. The Emperor, after the battle, retired to 
Shangtu. 

Timur Kaan, grandson of Kublai, viceroy of Yunan, Bangalla, and A. D. 1289. 
the countries called India beyond the Ganges, was occupied with the 
great war against Kaidu, on the river Irtish f. 

The Grand Khan failed in his attempts on Java. " Java," says Maun 
devile, " is nearly two thousand miles in circuit ; the king is rich and 
mighty. He hath under him seven other isles about him. Spices are 
more plentiful here than in any other country; ginger, cloves, canelle, 
zedewalle, nutmegs, and mace ; and know well, that the nutmegs bear 
the mace : for, as the nut of the hazel hath a husk, so it is with the nut- 
meg and mace. All things are in plenty, save wine. The palace is mar- 
vellous and rich ; the chambers and halls are square, and the walls are 
covered with plates of gold and silver, with stories of battles of 
knights enleved, (the glossary says, this means inlaid, but perhaps it 
should be in relief ; the crowns and circles about their heads, are of 
precious stones and pearls. No one would believe the riches of the 
palace who had not seen it. And know well, that the king of this isle 
is so mighty, that he hath many times overcome the Great Khan of Ca- 
thay in battle, who is the greatest Emperor under the firmament ; for 
they have often been at war, because the Great Khan would con- 
strain him to hold his land of him ; but the king hath at all times de- 
fended himself well against him \. 

* M. Polo, p. 268, where there is a description of the battle, 
t For the invasion of Siberia, see Chap. V. 

% Voyage and Travaile of Sir John Maundevile, Knt. from the year 1322, to 
1356. This account seems to decide, that it was Java, and not Borneo, as has 



62 



DEATH OF KUBLAI.— HIS FAMILY.— BEAUTIFUL CONCUBINES. 



CHAP. The Emperor Kublai died, aged eighty. He had four wives of the 

^-^■^j first rank, by whom he had twenty sons. Genghis, who was the eld- 
D 1294. 

' est, and was to inherit the empire, having died, his son, Timur Kaan, 
succeeded to the vast dominions of his grandfather. Seven of the le- 
gitimate sons were placed at the head of extensive kingdoms and 
provinces. His Majesty had twenty-five sons by his concubines, all of 
whom were placed in the rank of nobles, and employed in the military 
profession. 



The Empresses had separate courts. None of them fewer than 
three hundred female attendants of great beauty, with a multitude of 
ladies of the bed chamber; youths as pages, and other eunuchs; so 
that the number of persons attached to their respective courts, 
amounted to ten thousand. 

His Majesty's concubines are from a province named Ungut*, dis- 
tinguished for perfumes and the beauty of the inhabitants f. Every 
year four or five hundred of the handsomest young women are select- 
ed ; and the khan makes choice of thirty or forty of those who are 
most perfect in symmetry of person, the most beautiful in features, 
hair, countenance, eyebrows, &c. The remainder are instructed in 
cookery, dress-making, and other suitable works. The Grand Khan 

been supposed by Purchas and others, which Kublai and his successors attempt- 
ed to conquer. Mr. Marsden inclines to think Marco Polo was not in error when 
he says, " the Grand Khan failed in his attempt on Java" See M. Polo, B. III. 
Ch. VII. Is not this strong proof of the correctness of Polo ; and of the truth of 
some parts of the Englishman's book ? 

* Supposed to be Ighoors, or Yugures. M. Polo, note 527. See Sir William 
Jones, Vol. 1. p. 53. 

f Khoten is in these parts. " When thy charming letter was brought to me, 
I said, ' Is it the zephyr that breathes from the gardens, or is it the sky burning 
wood of aloes on the censer of the sun? or is it a caravan of musk coming from 
Khoten?'" From a Persian poet. Sir William Jones, Vol. V. p. 578. The Asia- 
tics perfume their letters, and send them in bags of satin or damask. 



EXTENT OF THE MONGOL CONQUESTS. 

bestows them in marriage on the nobility, with handsome portions. 
The fathers of these children feel gratified at the khan's condescend- 
ing to make choice of their daughters for himself; or matching them 
more nobly than they themselves have the power to do *. 

EXTENT AND GRANDEUR OF THE MONGOL 
EMPIRE. 

The empire attained its greatest extent at about the period of the 
completion of the conquest of China, in 1280. There were under that 
division of the empire, governed by the Grand Khan and his viceroys, 
the whole of China — All India eastward of the Burhampooter f — 
Thibet — TangutJ — Mantchu Tartary — Corea — and all the eastern 
division of Siberia, to the Straits of Anian, (now Behring's), and to the 
Arctic Sea. 

Seven sons of Kublai, and other viceroys governed, each, extensive 
regions. The account of the subordinate governments is extremely 
defective. Marco Polo was governor of Yan-gui, a large city, and its 
dependencies, for three years. 

Kaidu, (now in rebellion), nephew of Kublai, possessed, as viceroy, 
the countries around Almaligh and the central regions of Siberia, to 
the Northern Ocean. 

Sheibani, or his descendants, reigned at Sibir, over the western di- 
vision of Siberia. Sheibani was the cousin of Kublai. 

Capschac was governed by a descendant of Batou. This division 

* M. Polo, B. II. Ch. IV. and V. 

t See De Guines, Vol. I. p. 173, and Vol. IV. p. 193. 

$ Tangut and Thibet are supposed to be the same, by some authors : the ex- 
act geography of these immense regions is but imperfectly known even now. 



63 



CHAP. 
II. 



EXTENT OF THE MONGOL CONQUESTS. 

now contained the Crimea, the countries north of the Caspian and 
Lake Aral ; northward, by the Volga, up to the Arctic Ocean ; west- 
ward, to the Tanais or Don ; Southward, to Caucasus : all Russia be- 
ing tributary. 

Zagatai's descendants reigned over Transoxiana or Maverulnere, 
the country of the Yugures or Igors, Cashgar, Badachshan, and 
Balk. 

Abaca Khan, son of Hulacou, mounted the throne of Persia by or- 
der of his uncle the Grand Khan Kublai. Hulacou with three hun- 
dred thousand troops had taken Bagdat, and put an end to the Califs 
of the race of Abbas*. The territories under Abaca comprised Per- 
sia to the Indus, Syria, Mesopotamia, Chaldea, and Anatolia f. 

The death of Kublai weakened rapidly the allegiance of these mo- 
narchs to his successors. 

Hindostan was then too powerful to be subdued. Formidable at- 
tempts had been made, but had failed. While Hulacou was preparing 
an immense army, (with which he took Bagdat), he sent an ambassa- 
dor to Delhi. The Emperor Balin sent out the vizier to give him a 
distinguished reception, with fifty thousand foreign cavalry, two hun- 
dred thousand infantry in arms, two thousand chain elephants of war, 
and three thousand carriages of combustibles, or fireworks J. The 

* When Bagdat fell to the great army of Hulacou, Mustasim Billah was calif. 
He had hoarded immense treasures : Hulacou ordered that he should be shut up 
in his treasury in the midst of his riches ; and where, by an ironical refinement of 
cruelty, he was starved to death. Abul Ghazi, Vol. I. p. 185. The East India 
trade had enriched Bagdat, through Bussorah, which was founded by the Calif 
Omar, and became a place of trade hardly inferior to Alexandria. Robertson on 
India, p. 93. 

t Petis de la Croix p. 402. See also Mezeray, A. D. 1249. 
t This took place the year after Kublai became Grand Khan. Hulacou was 
his brother. 



THE WISE GOVERNMENT. 

ambassador was conducted to the palace. The court was magnificent 
and gorgeous. All the omrahs, judges, priests, and great men, were 
present; besides five princes of Persian Irac, Chorassan, and Maverul- 
nere, who had taken refuge from the arms of the Mongols *. 

With the exceptions of Hindostan and Arabia, the continent of Asia 
and part of Europe were under the domination of the Grand Khan. 
" Kublai, says Gaubil, was now master of China, Pegu, Thibet, Great 
and Little Tartary, Turkestan, and the country of the Jgours ; Siam, 
Cochin China, Tonquin, and the Corea, paid him tribute. The princes 
of the blood of Genghis, who reigned in Muscovy, Assyria, Persia, 
Korassan, and Transoxiana, did nothing without his consentf ". 

" Kublai, at his coming to the crown of China, made no change 
in the ministers or in the laws and customs. He won his subjects so 
much by his sincere conduct, his equity, the protection he gave to men 
of letters, and by his tender affection for his people, that, even at pre- 
sent, the administration of this Tartar family is called the wise govern- 
ment %. 

The army and establishment of vessels for the conveyance of sol- 
diers, were limited only by the necessity that required them. Ships 
with four masts were built so large as to employ a crew of two hun- 
dred and fifty men, and to carry stores and provisions for two years §. 
These were for a voyage to Persia. Five thousand vessels are some- 
times seen in one port, from two hundred to five hundred tons bur- 
then || . Kublai had an extraordinary passion to make himself known 
to foreign kings, to engage them to send him all kinds of rarities. In 

* Dow's Hindostan, Vol. I. p. 190. 
t Note 378 in Marco Polo. 

* Du Halde, Vol. I. p. 215. 
§ M. Polo, p. 29. 

|| M. Polo, B. II. Ch. LXIII. and the notes from various authorities. 



66 



99 SHIPS FROM CEYLON, BENGAL, &e. ARRIVE IN FOKIEN. 



CHAP. September, 1286, advice was received from the Mandarins of Fokien, 
y-w that ships from ninety-nine foreign kingdoms were arrived at Twen-chu- 
fu in that province. These kingdoms are treated as tributary, but only 
eight are mentioned in history, and under names unknown to Euro- 
peans. Those spoken of here are, Malacca, Sumatra, Pen-ko-la or 
Bengal, and from Cape Comorin to the Persian Gulf, Ceylon *, Tingor, 
Sanem-Soumenatf. 

The current money of the Emperor is made of the bark of the mul- 
berry tree, reduced to a pulp, made hard, black, and stamped. To 
counterfeit or refuse it is death. Foreigners receive it for their mer- 
chandise, and pay it for their purchases in the khan's empire. It is 
exchanged if worn or damaged ; and bullion for manufactures is given 
for it at the mint. It may therefore be affirmed that no monarch has 
so extensive a command of treasure as the Grand Khan J. 

No Emperor or human being is equal to Kublai Khan, for the con- 
venience and facility of his posting establishment: it is scarcely possi- 
ble to describe it. Two hundred thousand horses and ten thousand 
buildings, with suitable furniture, are kept up. There are foot post- 
men at every three miles ; so that fruit gathered at Pekin is received 
at Shangtu the evening of the next day ; which by the ordinary mode 
would require ten days. The horsemen ride two hundred, and some- 
times two hundred and fifty miles in a day, on rebellions or other ur- 
gent occasions §. 

* Sender-naz, King of Ceylon, being reported to possess a ruby, brilliant beyond 
description, a span in length, and as thick as a man's arm ; the Grand Khan Kub- 
lai sent ambassadors with a request that the king would yield him the ruby, for 
which the khan would pay the value of a city. The king's answer was, that, being 
a jewel handed down to him by his predecessors, he would not sell it for all the 
treasures in the universe. M. Polo, B. III. Ch. XIX. in note 1251, it is conjectur- 
ed that it may have been a lump of coloured crystal. 

t Modern Univ. Hist. Vol. II. p. 387. M. Polo, note 1206. 

t M. Polo, p. 353. 

§ M. Polo, B. II. Ch. XX. where there is a long description of the establishment. 



PAPER MONEY.— POSTING ESTABLISHMENT.— MONGOL BOOKS. 



6 



In the month of January, 1290, Kublai sent mathematicians, (of CHAP, 
which he had numbers from the west as well as those of China), tolati- ^-*~v~*«- 
tude 55° north and to 15° south, in Cochin China, to observe the lati- 
tudes of the principal cities in Tartary. China, Corea, and other 
places *. Many astronomical instruments were made on a large scale, 
and at immense cost: there was a gnomon of forty feetf. 

Rare books were sought for in foreign countries; all good books 
that could be procured were translated into the Mongol language, and 
extensive libraries were formed f . 

When Kublai had overthrown Nayan, understanding that the 
Christians observed their yearly solemnity of Easter, he caused them 
all to come unto him, and bring the book of the four gospels, which 
he incensed often with great ceremonies, devoutly kissing it, and cau- 
sed the barons to do the like. And this he observeth always at Christ- 
mas and Easter. The like he did in the chief feasts of the Saracens, 
Jews, and Idolaters; because, as he said — "Those four prophets were 
reverenced of all the world — Jesus, Mahomet, Moses, and Sagomam- 
barlan §, the first Idol of the Pagans : and I, (saith he), do honour to 
them all, and pray him which is the greatest in Heaven and truest, to 

* In 1278 Co-cheou-king found the obliquity of the ecliptic to be 23 32 12 



1290 Choja Nassir-oddin 23 30 

1463 Ulug Beg, great grandson of Tamerlane 23 30 17 

1525 Copernicus 23 28 24 

1627 Kepler 23 30 30 

1800 Mr. Pond, (Vid. Rees's Cyc. "Ecliptic") 23 27 56.5 

t Hist, des Huns, Vol III. B. XVI. 



$ Modern Univ. Hist. Vol. II. p 390. With respect to the illiterateness of the 
Mongols themselves before their conquests, the curious reader is referred to Sir 
W. Jones's fifth discourse on the Tartars, in his first volume, page 51. 

§ Polo, p. 274. Mr Marsden, note 512, supposes this to be one of the names of 
Budda, who is called also Fo and Somonacodom. Kublai sacrificed to Fo ; and 
was attached to the Lamas of Tibet and the Bonzas of China; which drew on him 
the censures of the followers of Confucius. 

K 2 



68 



KUBLAI'S RESPECT FOR CHRISTIANITY. 



CHAP, help me." Yet he had the best opinion of the Christian faith, because 
^-^^j it contained nothing but goodness: and he would not suffer the Christ- 
ians to carry before them the cross, on which so great a man as Christ 
was crucified *. 



Kublai being informed that the barks which brought to court the 
tribute of the southern provinces, or carried on the trade of the empire 
by sea, often suffered shipwreck, he caused the great canal to be made ; 
it is three hundred leagues in length. Above nine thousand imperial 
barks transport, with ease and at a small expense, the tribute of grain, 
stuffs, &c. which is annually paid to the Emperor. Had this been the 
only advantage this prince procured for China, he would have been 
worthy of the high praises which the Chinese give himf . 

On the commencement of the year, which is the first of February, 
the Grand Khan and all his subjects clothe themselves in white. All 
the landholders send valuable presents of gold, silver, precious stones, 
and white cloth; great numbers of beautiful white horses are present- 
ed on this occasion. If the present be from a province, nine times 
nine of horses, gold, &c. are presented. Thus, at this festival, a hun- 
dred thousand horses are received. All the Grand Khan's elephants, 
of which he has five thousand, are exhibited in procession, covered with 
housings of cloth, fancifully and richly worked with gold and silk in 
figures of birds and beasts. Each of these supports, upon its should- 
ers, two coffers filled with vessels of plate and other apparatus for the 
use of the court. Then follows a train of camels laden with furniture. 
The whole passes in review before the Emperor. On this occasion a 
tamed lion is conducted into the presence of his Majesty, which is 
taught to lay itself down at his feet. 

At Shangtu, or Cayandu, the khan hath an admirable summer pa- 



* Purchas, Vol I. p. 417. 
•]- Du Halde, Vol I. p. 215. 



SUMMER PALACE, PARK, AND PAVILION. 69 

lace and a noble park, sixteen miles in circuit ; where he rides about, CHAP. 

r II. 
and enjoys hunting and hawking. Small leopards are carried on v^-^^*^ 

horseback behind their keepers ; and the Emperor, when he pleases, 

commands them to be slipped at stags, fallow-deer, or goats; which he 

gives to his hawks. There is here a beautiful grove of trees and a 

royal pavilion*. 



POMP AND SPLENDOUR OF THE COURT. 

" The Grand Khan hath many solemn feasts every year ; at each 
of which there are great multitudes of people, well arrayed by thou- 
sands, hundreds, and tens. 

First, there are four thousand barons, mighty and rich, to govern 
the feasts and serve the Emperor. They are held in halls and tents 
made of cloth-of-gold, and of tartaries full nobly. All the barons 
wear golden crowns richly adorned with precious stones and orient 
pearls ; and are clothed in dresses of gold, so perfectly that no man 
can amend it, all dubbed with pearls and gems. These barons are di- 
vided into four companies; each thousand being dressed in one colour. 
The first thousand in gold and green, the second in gold and red, the 
third in purple, the fourth in yellow. They walk two and two full or- 
derly, without saying a word, only by inclining towards the Emperor ; 
each bearing a tablet of jasper, crystal, or ivory; preceded by minstrels, 
sounding their instruments of divers melody ; thus passes each thou- 

* Marco Polo, p. 250, and B. II. Ch XII. where these feasts are described. Sir 
John Maundevile's descriptions will be given in this Vol. — perhaps about forty 
years afterwards. Both Polo's and Maundevile's accounts are strongly corroborat- 
ted by Grosier, (See his Hist. Vol. IF. p. 106), who lived many years in China. 



SOLEMN AND MAGNIFICENT BANQUET. 

sand. On one side of the Emperor's table sit the philosphers in astro- 
nomy, necromancy, geomancy, pyromancy, hydromancy, and augury. 
Every one hath before him golden astrolabes, spheres, skulls, vessels 
of gold full of gravel, sand, burning coals, water, oil or wine; and 
some, noble clocks. Then the officers order silence. Another saith, 
' Every man do reverence to the Emperor, who is God's son, and so- 
vereign lord of the world:' and they all bow down to the earth. When 
they rise, another saith — ' Put your little finger in your ears.' Another 
saith: — 'Put your hands before your mouth.' Another — 'Put your 
hand upon your head.' I asked the meaning of all this, and one of 
the masters told me, they were the tokens of fidelity to the Em- 
peror — that no one would betray him for gifts, nor keep secret any 
mischief intended him, though it were by his own father, brother, or 
son. The Emperor doth nothing without the counsel of the philoso- 
phers. Again the minstrels do their minstrelsy, with all the melody 
they can devise. Then all the lords of the imperial blood, richly ap- 
parelled, on white steeds, make their presents to the Emperor of white 
horses, each after the other. Then the barons present jewels and 
other things according to their means. Then the religious men and 
lawyers ; each presents something. Then the most dignified prelate 
giveth his blessing and saith an orison. Then the minstrels do their 
craft. Afterwards they bring before the Emperor, lions, leopards and 
other beasts ; eagles, vultures, fowls, fish, and serpents. The jugglers 
and enchanters follow. They make to appear in the air, to every one's 
seeing, the sun and the moon ; they then make it quite dark, and af- 
terwards a bright sunshine. Next appear the fairest damsels in the 
world, richly arrayed, who dance. Then others with milk of divers 
beasts in golden cups, which they hand to the lords and ladies. Then 
knights in arms joust full lustily and fiercely; and break their spears 



MINSTRELS. — GAME KEEPERS. 

and truncheons into splinters, which fly about the hall : they then hunt 
the hart and the boar with hounds running open mouthed. 

This great Khan hath, altogether, a hundred and thirty thousand 
minstrels. They are nurtured by all the kings and lords under him ; 
and this is the reason he hath so great a multitude. He hath certain 
men to keep the ostriches, ger-falcons, sparrow-hawks, gentil-falcons, 
and others; well-speaking popinjays, and singing birds. He hath 
wild beasts, such as tame and other elephants, baboons, apes, marmo- 
sets, and divers others ; all of which are maintained by a hundred and 
fifty thousand keepers *. 

He hath two hundred Christian physicians ; and of Christian leech- 
es, two hundred and ten, and twenty Saracen. His common house- 
hold is without number. 

The Khan's money is made of all values, of leather or paper, which 
is changed when much worn, and therefore he may expend outrage- 
ously. Of his gold and silver he maketh the ceilings, pillars, and 
floors of his palaces, and other things f." 

" The Emperor dwells in summer at Saduz, towards the north, and 
cold enough ; in winter, at Cambalech ; but his chief residence is in 
Caydou or in Jong, where it is temperate. 

When his Majesty removeth from one country to another, he goeth 
in the midst of four hosts innumerable ; he keeping at a moderate dis- 
tance. He wears a plain dress and has few attendants, that he may not 
easily be known. Or else he rides in a chariot with four wheels, upon 
which is a fair chamber of sweet smelling lignum aloes; which is with- 
in covered with plates of fine gold, dubbed with precious stones and 

* Whatever the exact numbers were, they must have been immense, by the ac- 
counts of Shah-Rohk's ambassadors, Marco Polo and others so nearly agreeing, 
t Sir John Maundevile, p. 278. 



CHARIOTS DRAWN BY ELEPHANTS. 

great pearls. The chariot is drawn by four elephants and four great 
destreres, all white and covered with rich housings*. A few of the 
greatest lords ride about this chariot, full-richly and nobly arrayed. 
Above the chamber of the chariot, four or six ger-falcons are perched; 
which, when the Emperor sees any wild fowl, are let fly to amuse his 
Majesty with the sport. No one but those lords dares approach with- 
in bow-shot of the chariot. 

Another chariot, ordained and arrayed in the same manner, goes on 
another side, at a distance, with the Empresses. The eldest son rides 
in another, just the same, on another road. No man would believe 
the multitude which follows, who had not seen it. Sometimes the 
Emperor sends for the Empresses and his children to accompany him, 
when the journey is to be short. 

The Great Khan's empire is divided into twelve kingdoms ; each 
principal king having other kings under diim, all being obedient to the 
Great Khan. 

The Emperor's despatches are conveyed by dromedaries and horses, 
from one post house to another, with great swiftness; the arriving 
courier's bells being heard, another is ready at the instant; they are 
clept Chijdido, after their language. 

When the Emperor passes through cities, every man maketh a 
fire before his door, strewing upon it sweet gums; and all people 
kneel down. Where there are Christians, as there are in many cities, 
they go before him in procession, with the cross and holy water, sing- 
ing Veni Creator, Spiritus, with a high voice. He commandeth his 

* A note says, Dextrarii. Dromedayrs. See Chenier's Morocco, Vol. I. p. 339, 
where it is said, that " Muley Ishmael had two snow-white dromedaries, which 
were daily washed with soap." In Siberia there are also white camels. Shaw's 
Zoology, Vol. II. P. II. p. 240. 



THE GREAT KHAN'S RESPECT FOR THE CROSS. 



73 



lords to ride beside him, and that the religious men may approach. CHAP. 

When they are nigh with the cross, then he doth a-down his galaothe, ^^^m^. 

which he wears upon his head in the manner of a chaplet, made of 

gold and jewels, and prized at the value of a kingdom. Then he kneel- 

eth to the cross. Then the prelate of the religious men saith before 

him certain orisons, and giveth him a blessing full devoutly. Then 

the prelate giveth him fruit, to the number of nine, in a silver platter, 

pears, apples, and other kinds, and he taketh one ; and then they give 

to the lords. No one can approach the Emperor without observing 

the old law, that saith — Nemo accedat in conspectu meo vacuus. Then 

the Emperor desires the religious men to withdraw carefully, that 

they may meet with no hurt from the vast multitude of horses which 

follow. They then present fruit in the same manner to the Empresses 

and the eldest son, as they pass. 

After the Empresses and the sons have returned to their separate 
households, with their hosts, there always remain with his Majesty 
fifty thousand men at horse, and two hundred thousand foot, without 
counting minstrels, and those who keep the wild beasts and birds. 

Under the firmament is not a lord so mighty and so rich as the 
Great Khan, he surpasseth all earthly princes, wherefore it is great 
harm that he believeth not faithfully in God. No man is required 
to hold any law, other than he liketh. They call the God of nature 
Yroga, and offer him horses and beasts. They worship the sun and 
moon. 

Every one hath his house, both man and woman, made round of 
staves, with a round window above for light and smoke ; the walls and 
doors of wood; when they go to war, they take their houses upon 
chariots, and have multitudes of all manner of beasts except swine 



MANNERS. — CUSTOMS. — LAWS. — FOOD. 

They hold it a great sin to smite a horse with the handle of a whip 
or with a bridle, to break one bone with another, or to slay chil- 
dren. * * * Whoever maketh water in his house shall surely be slain. 

* * * When they commit sin, they must be shriven of their priests; 
and pay a great sum of silver for their penance, and pass through fire. 

* * * If any man be taken in adultery or fornication, anon they slay 
him. * * * The men and women are all right good archers, both on 
foot and at speed on horseback. * * * The women make clothes, 
boots, houses, ploughs, chariots, and other things. The men make 
bows, arrows, and armour. The women wear breeches as well as the 
men. * * * They are all obedient to the Khan. * * * They fight not 
nor chide with one another. * * * There are no thefts nor robberies 
in the country. * * * They all worship each other, but do no rever- 
ence to strangers, except they be great princes. * * * 

They eat hounds, lions, lyberdes, mares, foals, asses, rats, mice, and 
all beasts, great and small, except swine. * * * They eat little bread 
except at the court of great lords. They have generally neither peas, 
nor beans, nor potages, but make broth of flesh. Only the great 
lords have towels to wipe their hands. They live full wretchedly; 
and eat but once a day, and that even at courts. * * * 

All their lust and imagination, is to put all lands under their subjec- 
tion. When before a walled town, they promise to the besieged all 
they can ask; and when they yield, they slay them and souce their ears 
in vinegar, and, thereof, thei maken gret servyse for lordesf." " When 
I was there, the Emperor's name was Thiaut Khan, and his eldest 
son's TossueJ; who when he becomes Emperor will add Khan; be- 
sides whom, the Emperor had twelve sons. He had three Empresses. 

f Sir John Maundevile, p. 278 to 308. 

% The Chinese History does not give the Tartar names. Shun-ti reigned from 
1337 to 1369. Kublai's Chinese name was Shi-tsu. Du Halde. 



SHANG-TU.— PALACE— COURT.— THRONE. 



75 



The Tartars have made a city called Caydon, (Shangtu), it hath CHAP, 
twelve gates, and is twenty miles round. Here is the residence of the 'v.*^^. 
Great Khan, whose palace is two miles in circuit, with many other 
palaces. In the garden of the royal palace there is a great hill, upon 
which there is another palace, the most fair and rich that any man 
may devise ; and all about the palace and hill are many trees and di- 
vers fruits, and great and deep ditches, with wild geese, swans, and he- 
rons without number. The large garden is full of wild beasts, so that 
the Emperor can see them chased from his window. 

The hall has twenty-four pillars of gold, and is lined with red sweet- 
smelling panther skins, of the most brilliant colour, and more valuable 
than gold. In the midst is a Mountour for the Great Khan, wrought 
of gold, pearls and gems, with serpents of gold at the four corners; all 
encircled by nets of silk and gold The Emperor's throne is of fine 
precious stones, bordered with pearls, gold, and gems. The steps are 
of gold inlaid with precious stones. On the left is a lower jasper seat 
set with gems, for the Empress ; another lower, similar, for the second 
wife; and a still lower for the third wife ; for he always has three wives 
with him. On the right, on a seat below that of the Emperor, sits his 
eldest son and heir. The lords sit on the right, the court ladies on the 
left. The Emperor sits alone at a table made of crystal, lignum aloes, 
ivory, gold, amethysts, and other gems. The Empresses, the prince, 
and great lords, have each a separate table ; every table worth a huge 
treasure. Under the Emperor's table are four secretaries to write his 
words, for he must never revoke them. At solemn feasts men bring be- 
fore the Emperor great tables of gold, whereon are golden peacocks 
and other birds richly enamelled, which sing and clap their wings, 
whether by necromancy I wot not ; but it is a fair sight to behold. In 
subtilty they pass all men under heaven. I tried to learn this craft, 
but the master told me he had made a vow to God, to teach it only to 



L 2 



KUBLAI'S PALACE, NEAR PEKIN. 

his son. There is a vine which spreads all about the hall, made all na- 
turally in colours, with every kind of precious gem. All the drinking 
vessels are set with jewels and are all of gold ; silver they make no 
price of except for pillars and pavements. The hall door is guarded 
by many barons all completely armed. My fellows and I, with our 
yeomen, served this Emperor as soldiers for fifteen months against 
the king of Mancy, having desire to see all his governance. We 
found it more rich and marvellous than we had heard of. He who 
will may believe me or not, for no man, nor I myself, till I saw it, 
would believe it*." (Marco Polo, p. 251, mentions that Kublai had 
a stud at Shangtu of ten thousand horses and mares, as white as snow). 

* * * * 

" The palace of the Grand Khan Kublai, near Pekin, is the most ex- 
tensive that has ever been known : (this astonishing palace is described 
at great length): not far from the outside wall, which is a square of eight 
miles on each side, is an artificial mount of earth, full a hundred paces 
high, and a mile in circuit at the base : it is planted with the most beauti- 
ful ever-green trees; which, however large and heavy they may be, are 
dug up with the roots and earth about them, and are brought from the 
most distant countries upon the backs of elephants f . 

* Sir John Maundevile, Ch. XX. to XXIII. The reader is referred to the 
embassy from Shah Rohk in Ch. IV. and to the accounts given by Bell and 
others, which confirm Maundevile and Marco Polo in most particulars ; although 
an Emperor of China is, compared with a Grand Khan, a very insignificant per- 
sonage. See also Grosier's descriptions, which are very similar. 

t In 1720 the Emperor Kam-hi or Kang-hi, sixty-eight years of age, and in 
the sixtieth of his reign, gave a hunting entertainment in this park to Ismailof, 
the Russian ambassador from the Czar Peter. " We continued the sport till four 
o'clock, when we came to a high artificial mount, on the top of which were ten or 



TIGERS. — GREEN MOUNTAIN. 



77 



On the mount there is an ornamented pavilion entirely green. CHAP. 
Within the park are various wild beasts, swans and other aquatic birds, ^^-v^ 
To this place, which is called the Green Mountain, the Grand Khan 
often retires to treat of the affairs of the empire*." 

twelve tent s for the imperial family. The emperor from this viewed all the tents 
in the plain and a great way into the forest. After dinner the Emperor sent to 
compliment the ambassador and inform him, that he had kept three tigers, which 
should be baited, for his entertainment. The hill was surrounded by several 
ranks of guards armed with spears; and a guard was placed before the ambassa- 
dor's and other tents, to secure the encampment from the fury of these fierce 
beasts. The first tiger was let out of his cage by a man upon a fleet horse, who 
opened the door by means of a rope. He rode off. The tiger came out, and de- 
lighted with his liberty began rolling himself upon the grass : he then rose, growl- 
ed, and walked about. The Emperor fired bullets with his matchlock at him 
twice, with good aim, but he was too distant. His Majesty sent to the ambassa- 
dor to try his gun : he walked towards the animal, accompanied by ten men armed 
with spears, and, at a convenient distance, shot the tiger dead. The second was 
let out in the same manner, and rolled upon the grass like the first. The man 
shot at him with a blunt arrow, to rouse him ; when he furiously pursued the 
horseman, who narrowly escaped within the ranks ; and the tiger, endeavouring to 
leap over the men's heads, was killed at the foot of the mount. The third, as 
soon as he was set at liberty, made towards the Emperor's tent, and was, in like 
manner, killed with the spears. The Emperor was, in his youth, fond of hunting 
these creatures in the woods of Tartary, but now confines himself within this 
forest, where there is game enough to gratify any sportsman : it is of great extent, 
and all enclosed within a high wall of brick : after travelling about as much as 
fifteen miles, I saw no end of it. Besides tigers, we saw panthers, leopards, linxes, 
boars, deer, hares, partridges, quails, pheasants, &c. We all formed a semicir- 
cle, in the centre of which was the Emperor, with eight or ten of his sons and 
grandsons on his left, and the ambassador on his right, about fifty paces distant. 
Close by him were the master of the chase with grey hounds, and the grand fal- 
coner with hawks : many of these beautiful birds were as white as doves, having 
one or two black feathers in their wings or tails. They are brought from Siberia, 
or places north of the river Amoor : they generally raked the pheasants while 
flying, but if they took to the reeds or bushes they soon caught them." (Bell, 
Ch. XI.) 

* Marco Polo, B. II. Ch. VI. De Guines, Vol. III. p. 148. 



TRAVELLING UPON ELEPHANTS. 



MAGNIFICENT HUNTING EXPEDITIONS. 

When Kublai has resided the usual time in the metropolis, in March 
he proceeds, in a north-east direction, to within two days journey of 
the ocean*; attended by full ten thousand falconers, who carry a vast 
number of ger-falcons, peregrine falcons, and sakers, to pursue the game 
along the banks of the rivers. The falconers are divided into parties, 
and follow the game in various directions. 

There are about ten thousand men to seek and mark the haunts of 
the game. Every bird belonging to the Emperor or the nobles, has 
a small silver label fastened to its leg, with the name of the owner en- 
graved upon it. On account of the narrowness of the passes in some 
parts of the country where the Grand Khan pursues the chase, he is 
borne upon two elephants only; sometimes on a single one: but other- 
wise, he makes use of four, upon the backs of which is placed a pavi- 
lion of wood handsomely carved ; the inside being lined with cloth of 
gold, and the outside covered with the skins of tigers: a mode of 
conveyance rendered necessary, in consequence of his Majesty being 
troubled with the gout 

In the pavilion there are always twelve of the best ger-falcons, and 
his Majesty has twelve of the officers of the court to bear him com- 
pany. 

* Kang-hi, in 1682, proceeded to Eastern Tartary, a thousand miles to the 
north-east, probably to near the same place. Sixty tigers, besides bears, stags, 
and bares, in vast numbers, were killed. He had his court with him, and more 
than seventy thousand persons in his retinue. Du Halde, Vol. II. p. 269. 



TENTS COVERED WITH TIGER-SKINS. — GAME LAWS. 79 

When cranes or other birds are perceived, his Majesty orders the CHAP, 
ger-falcons to be let fly ; and, after a struggle, they overpower the ^s^L^ 
game; which the Grand Khan, as he lies upon his couch, views with 
extreme satisfaction. 

The tent of his Majesty is so large, that ten thousand soldiers might 
be drawn up under it, without incommoding the nobles in the halls 
and chambers, at the audience. Near to the Emperor's tent, are those 
of his ladies, who have their ger-falcons, hawks, birds, and beasts. — 
The outsides of the tents are covered with skins of tigers, joined so 
well as to keep out the wind and rain : within, they are lined with the 
richest ermines, sables, and other furs; the tent ropes are of silk. 
There are more than ten thousand tents for the Emperor's sons, the 
nobles, life guards, and the falconers. His Majesty takes his whole 
family and household, physicians, astronomers, &c. So great is the 
assemblage, that it is quite incredible; and a spectator might conceive 
himself to be in a populous city. 

By the lakes, storks, swans, herons, and a variety of birds are taken. 
The excellence and extent of the sport is so great as not to be ex- 
pressed: and the Emperor enjoys himself to a degree that no person, 
who is not an eye witness, can conceive. 

No prince, or other person, is permitted to kill hares, roebucks, fal- 
low deer, stags, or any beasts of that kind, for the six months from 
March to October, 

The Emperor returns by the same road, continuing the sport during 
the whole journey *. 

At the city of Changanor, or the white lake, the Khan has a palace 
which he is fond of visiting. There are there great numbers of phea- 
sants and partridges ; cranes of five sorts, the first as black as crows, 



Marco Polo, Book II. Ch. XVI. 



TIGERS AND EAGLES FOR SEIZING GAME. 

with long wings ; the second white, the feathers of the wings full of eyes 
like the peacock's, of a gold colour, very bright, the head red and black, 
the neck black and white, and longer wings than the first ; the third 
are the size of the Italian ; the fourth small, streaked with red and 
azure; the fifth large, grey, with the head red and black. There is 
a valley near the city, which is much frequented by partridges and 
quails. The Grand Khan orders millet, panicum, and other grain, to 
be sown along the sides of the valley, every season, with strict com- 
mands, that no person shall dare to reap the seed. His Majesty al- 
ways finds abundant sport in this country. In winter, when, in con- 
sequence of the severity of the cold, he does not reside there, camel 
loads of birds are sent to the court, wherever it may be *. At Pekin 
there is a market for frozen provisions. 

The Grand Khan keeps leopards and lynxes f, for the chasing of 
deer ; and also tigers for seizing boars, wild oxen and asses, bears, 
stags, and other beasts. The tigers are conveyed in cages placed up- 
on cars, and a little dog is confined with them, with which they be- 
come familiarized, and their fury is thereby abated, They are led op- 
posite the wind, in order that the game may not scent them. It is an 
admirable sight when the tiger is let loose in pursuit of the animal, to 
observe the savage eagerness and speed with which he overtakes it. 
His Majesty has eagles also, which are trained to stoop at wolves; 
they are of great size and strength: no wolf however large can escape 
their talons J. Wild horses are taken by the Tartars, by the use of 

* Marco Polo, p. 248. Some of the birds described are probably herons or 
storks. Note 461. 

t The Emperor Akbar, on his hunting expeditions, was accompanied by a thou- 
sand of these animals. Ayeen Akbari, Vol. I. p. 240. 

+ M. Polo, p. 338, and note 638. The eagle the Tartars use, is the karakush, 
or aquila mcevia. Strahlenberg, p. 360 



GREAT HUNTING ESTABLISHMENT. 

hawks trained to that purpose. They seize on the neck of the horse, 
beat him and tire him by his chafing, so that he becomes an easy prey 
to the master of the bird, who rides with his bow, arrow, and sword*. 

The Emperor has in his service two brothers named Bayan and 
Mingan, who are masters of the chase; having charge of the hounds, 
fleet and slow, and of the mastiffs. Each of the brothers has under 
his orders ten thousand chasseurs; the ten thousand under one bro- 
ther wearing a red uniform, and the others a sky blue, when on duty. 
The dogs of different descriptions which accompany them to the field 
are not fewer than five thousand. The one brother takes his ground 
to the right, and the other to the left of the Emperor. They advance 
in regular order, till they have enclosed a tract of country to the extent 
of a day's march. It is a beautiful and an exhilirating sight to watch 
the exertions of the huntsmen, and the sagacity of the dogs, when the 
Emperor is within the circle engaged in the sport, and they are seen 
pursuing the stags, bears, and other animals in every direction. The 
brothers are under an engagement to furnish the court daily for six 
months, from October to March, with a thousand head of game, quails 
being excepted f. 

* * * * 



FAILURE OF ATTEMPTS TO CONQUER HINDOSTAN. 

The princes who had been overthrown by Genghis Khan, his sons 
and grandsons, sought refuge in Hindostan, which was under the Pa- 
tan or Afghan Emperors. In the thirteenth century many attempts 
were made to subdue Hindostan, but they all failed. 



* Purchas, Vol. I. p. 480. \ M. Polo, B. II. Ch. XV. 

M 



82 ATTEMPTS TO CONQUER HINDOSTAN. 

CHAP. An army of Mongol Tartars made an incursion into Bengal by way 

^-T*y ' of Chitta and Thibet. They were defeated and driven back by a large 

A.D. 1242. J ° 

army *. 

A.D. 1243. The Mongols crossed the Indus and invested Outch. MasaoodlV. 
headed his troops and marched against them. They retreated. 

A.D. 1265. The Emperor of Hindostan, Balin, was so famous for generosity, 
that all the princes vanquished by the Mongols, sought his protection: 
there came upwards of twenty of these unfortunate sovereigns from 
Turquestan, Maver-ul-nere, Chorassan, Persian Irac, Azerbijan, Per- 
sia Proper, Asia Minor, and Syria. They had a princely allowance, 
and palaces for their residence allotted them. Balin's court was ex- 
tremely magnificent. In the retinue of these princes were the most 
famous men for learning, war, arts and sciences, that Asia produced. 
Philosophers, poets and divines formed a society every night in the 
house of the heir apparent to the empire. The horse-guards in the 

* Chitta has not been found on any map. The writer's conjecture is, that this 
invasion may have been by the passes of Dellamcotta and Coos Behar; for we 
find that, in the year 1773, " the British troops and the Bootaners first met, and 
nothing could exceed their mutual surprize : (a disputed succession of a Rajah 
at Coos Behar, had caused one party to apply for support to the British ; the other 
to the Bootan government). The Bootaners, who had never met any but naked 
and timid Hindoos, saw for the first time a body of men clothed, armed, moving in 
regular order, and led on by men of complexion, dress, and features, such as they 
had never beheld. The artillery, and incessant fire of the musketry, astonished 
them beyond any idea which they could have conceived. On the other hand, the 
British troops found themselves on a sudden engaged with a race of men unlike 
all their former opponents in India, uncouth in their appearance, and fierce in 
their assault, wrapped up in furs, and armed with bows and arrows, and other 
weapons peculiar to them. The place was carried, and many arms and other 
things taken; images in clay, in gold, in silver, and in enamel were sent to Calcut- 
ta, all which appeared perfectly Tartar. The fame of our exploits in the war 
reached the court of Thibet, and awakened the attention of the Tayshoo Lama." 
Letter from John Stewart, Esq. F. R. S. to Sir John Pringle, Bt. P. R. S. Uni- 
versal Magazine, June, 1778. 



REFUGE FOR THE VANQUISHED SOVEREIGNS. 



83 



cavalcade of the Emperor consisted of a thousand noble Tartars, upon CHAP, 
the finest Persian steeds, in splendid armour, with richly embroidered \**~y^s 
saddles, and bridles of silver. The state elephants were caparisoned 
in purple and gold; and the train was not less than a hundred thou- 
sand men. 

The Moguls invade Hindostan with twenty thousand horse, but are A.D. 1283. 
repulsed from Lahore. 

Another invasion is frustrated. A.D. 1286. 

The King of Persia, in subordination to his cousin, Kublai, the A.D. 1291. 
Emperor of Tartary, invaded Hindostan with ten tomans (one hun- 
dred thousand) of Moguls. Ferose II. moved forward to oppose 
him. Both armies encamped for five days on the sides of a stream 
on the frontiers of Biram, and their advanced posts skirmished. On 
the sixth morning, they fought upon a plain. The Moguls were de- 
feated, many chiefs killed, and a thousand men taken prisoners, be- 
sides two omrahs, and several officers of rank. The Emperor was 
afraid to pursue his victory, and offered them peace, on condition of 
evacuating his dominions. They gladly accepted the terms, and pre- 
sents were exchanged. When they were retreating, Allagu, a grand- 
son of Genghis, joined Ferose with three thousand men. They all be- 
came mussulmans, and their chief was honoured with one of Ferose's 
daughters in marriage. 

Advices came to Delhi, that Dova, King of Maver-ul-nere, had sent A.D. 1296. 
an army of a hundred thousand Moguls to conquer Punjab, Moultan, 
and the provinces near the mouth of the Indus. Alia I. sent his brother 
Elich with a great force to expel them. The Moguls were defeated 
with the loss of twelve thousand men, and many great officers. 
Numbers of prisoners of all ranks were taken; and some days after- 
wards put to the sword, not sparing the women and children, who had 
been taken in the Mogul camp. 



M2 



84 2700 ELEPHANTS.— INGRATITUDE OF ALLA I. 

CHAP. Cuttulich, the son of Dova, king of Maver-ul-nere, with two hun- 
^*^y— dred thousand Mongols,, proceeded towards Delhi without opposition. 

' The whole country had crowded into that city. Alia I. marched out, 
at the Budaoon gate, with three hundred thousand horse, two thousand 
seven hundred elephants, and foot without number, With the choic- 
est elephants a tremendous line was formed in front of Alias army. 
Ziffer commanded the right wing, and, by his impetuous and judicious 
conduct, the Moguls were defeated. He was at one time surrounded ; 
the enemy admired his extraordinary bravery, and called out to him to 
submit : he refused, and was cut to pieces with his friends who were 
around him. The Moguls retreated. 

Alia esteemed the death of Ziffer a second victory, and expressed 
his satisfaction thereat: so great was his jealousy and so base his in- 
gratitude. 

3j£ ^ ^ 

Many other invasions were repelled, till Tamerlane vanquished 
Mahmoud, in 1398 ; when most of the provinces declared themselves 
independent. In 1525, the Mogul, Baber, mounted the throne at 
Delhi; and thus ended the line of Patan, Afghan, or Ghiznian so- 
vereigns f. 

* * * * 

A.D, 1369. There were nine Grand Khans, or Emperors, of the Mongol dynas- 
ty, on the throne of China. Shun-ti, the last, reigned thirty-five years. 
He was effeminate and indolent : his love of pleasure made him wholly 
neglect the affairs of state. He sent for the Lamas from Tartary ; who 
introduced their idolatry: and, to indulge his vicious inclinations, 



t See Dow's Hindostan, Vol.1, p. 179, &c. 



EXPULSION OF THE MONGOLS FROM CHINA. 85 

placed a company of young female dancers in the palace, who entirely CHAP, 
enervated the little courage that remained in him. By this conduct W*y-W- 
a rebellion was excited, and headed by a Chinese named Chu, who had 
been a servant in a monastery of Bonzas. 

He gained many advantages over the Mongols. Shun-ti abandoned 
Pekin, on the 27th of August, 1369, with his family and his army: he 
was pursued and driven towards the north. 

In two years, the last of the Ywen dynasty in China died of grief 
for the loss of his empire*. 

* Du Halde, Vol. II. p. 217. De Guines. No particulars of the battles, or of 
the retreats, have been met with. 



86 



CHAPTER III. 

Of the Employment of Elephants from the earliest times in China 

Persia Turan Scythia Turquestan Gazna 

Thibet -Assam; from which Countries they may have 

been introduced into Siberia. 

All these countries were subject to the Grand Khans, in the thir- 
teenth and fourteenth centuries. 

CHINA. 

About eleven hundred years before the Christian era, the metropolis 
of the Emperor Vu Vang, was Singan, the capital of Shensi, the western 
Chinese province, and contiguous to the territories of Assam*. Both 
the country and the metropolis were called Chin. A king of this terri- 
tory, which was gradually extended to the east and west, (and therefore 
comprised Assam, a region where elephants are exceedingly abundant ; 
so much so, that most persons keep one to carry their wives, and one 
is buried in the tombs of the chiefs), makes a figure in the Shahna- 
mah, among the allies of Afrasiab, mounted on a white elephant f. 
This is, possibly, the first mention, in history, of elephants being used 
in warfare in the neighbourhood of Siberia; it may be the same histo- 
ry as the following : 

* Meer Jumla, in the reign of Aurungzeb, invaded Assam, to lat. 35° . Dow, 
Vol. III. p. 357. 

t Du Halde, Vol. I. p. 158. Sir W. Jones, VII. Disc. Vol. I. p. 101. 



OGUZ KHAN. — CHINESE WALL. 

" The joy of Afrasiab at these successes knew no bounds; he re- CHAP 
solved on an attack of the main body of the Persians, which was com- v^-.^, 
manded by Kai Khoosroo* and Roostum; who, on their part, adopted 
every means they could to repair their misfortune. Toos was releas- 
ed from his confinement; and sent, at the head of a fresh army, to 
meet Peeran-Wisa, with whom he had an action which lasted seven 
days ; but, terminating unfavourably, he was forced to retreat to the 
mountains of Hamavi, where his force was surrounded and in great 
danger, until relieved by Roostum; who, after a number of single com- 
bats, in all of which he was successful, obtained a great victory and 
made prisoner the Emperor of China, one of Afrasiab's chief allies. 
This monarch is represented as riding on a white elephant. The Chi- 
nese army dispersed, and Roostum immediately marched in person af- 
ter Afrasiab, who fled to his capital; the conquest of which was only 
retarded for a short time by the arrival of Pouladwund, the chief of 
Khoten, who fought with great valour, and discomfited several of the 
most renowned of the Persians; but was at last overthrown by Roos- 
tum. Afrasiab, destitute of all resource and support, fled from his ter- 
ritories; which were divided by Roostum among the leaders of the 
Persian armyf . Before Alexander the Great, Transoxiana was in- 
habited by a nation known by the generic names of Getse and Massa- 
getae. Afrasiab was probably monarch, of these tribes %. n 

* * *• * 

* " Caikhosrau is, without fear of contradiction, the Cyrus of Xenoplion, and 
the hero of the oldest political and moral romance." Sir W. Jones, Vol. I. p. 75. 
It is impossible to reconcile dates and events. Different histories agree in the 
facts. Sir William Jones, Vol. V. p. 591, supposes that Afrasiab may have been 
a common name for the kings of Asiatic Tartary. 

t Cyrus replied — " My paternal kingdom reaches northward to those parts 
which are not habitable, through cold." Xen. Exp. of Cyr. p. 82. 

t Sir John Malcolm's History of Persia, Vol I. pp. 46 and 124. There having 



CHINESE TROOPS AT CASHGAR. 

Among the Armenian nobles, there appeared, as an ally, Mamgo, who 
was a Scythian, and the horde which acknowledged his authority had en- 
camped a very few years before on the skirts of the Chinese empire, (at 
the latter part of the third century), which at that time extended as far 
as Sogdiana. Mamgo, with his followers, having quarrelled with Tir- 
dates, retired to the bank of the Oxus, and implored the protection of Sa- 
por. The Emperor of China claimed the fugitive, and alleged the 
rights of sovereignty. Vou-ti, the first Emperor of the seventh dy- 
nasty, called Tsin, who then reigned in China, had political transac- 
tions with Fergana, a province of Sogdiana, and is said to have re- 
ceived a Roman embassy. In those ages, the Chinese kept a garrison 
at Cashgar; and one of their generals, about the time of Trajan, 
marched as far as the Caspian Seaf. 

# * * * 

In the seventh century before Christ, Ogus Khan, (whose residence 
in summer was about the mountains of Ulug-tag and Kitzig-tag, in Si- 
beria, and in winter, at the foot of the mountains to the north of the 
river Sirr), conquered Kitai, Tangut, and a people between Kitai 
and the Indies, who are as black as Indians; and, drawing to the 
south, towards the sea coast, among the mountains, he was checked 
by a brave and warlike people J. Cabul, Cashmere, and a great num- 
ber of other countries, were subdued by Ogus, whose conquests 
were nearly as extensive as those of Genghis; and whose name is 

been more than one monarch of the name of Afrasiab, and also of Rustoom,agreat 
confusion and obscurity in the Persian, Indian, and Greek chronology, has been 
created, as will appear in this chapter, 
t Gibbon, Chap. XIII. note 59. 

X AbulGhazi, Vol. I. p. } 5. The black people correspond precisely with the 



OGUS KHAN.— CHINESE WALL.— EASTERN BENGAL. 89 

as familar in the east, as that of Caesar in the west. Ulug-tag, the CHAP. 

III. 

residence of Ogus, is between the sources of the rivers Tobol and •^ f ^ r ~^j 
Ischim, in Siberia f. 

* * * * 

In the year 221 B. C. that vastest monument of human labour, the 
Chinese wall, was built, to keep out the Tartars. * * * In the year 117 
B. C. Vu-ti gained four great victories over the Tartars of the north 
west (of China), and drove them so far into their deserts that they 
durst not again appear for more than 1 200 years. Vu-ti carried his 
victorious arms into the kingdoms of Pegu, Siam, Cambodia, and Ben- 
gal, he built several cities there, and divided those countries amongst 
the generals who had conquered them. These Chinese soon contract- 
ed the manners and inclinations of the Tartars, and proved in time the 
greatest enemies of their mother country J. 

* * * * 

" The first civil country eastward is that of the Seres, (Soli, Cap. 

Assamese. A note says, the others are, undoubtedly, the countries of Tunquin 
and Cochin China. But they are more probably Ava, Pegu, Aracan, &c. The 
brave and warlike people appear to be the Burmans and Peguans. 

f There is much confusion about the period of Ogus. Strahlenberg, p. 46, sup- 
poses him to have flourished eighty years before the prophet Ezekiel, and that 
he might be the Madyas of Herodotus, who, in a great battle, gained the empire 
of Asia from the Medes. See Herodotus, Clio, Ch. CIV. See the Translator's 
Preface to Abul Ghazi; and Sir W. Jones's Fifth Discourse. The Persians are 
extremely ignorant of their early history ; the probability is, that Ogus flourished 
in the seventh or eighth century before the Christian era. 

$ Du Halde, Vol. I. pp. 20, 172, 177. Vol. II. p. 255. This Bengal is probab- 
ly the eastern or lesser Bangalla, a description of which will be found in the se- 
venth Chapter of these Researches. 

N 



90 COUNCIL OF CHINA.— NUMEROUS ELEPHANTS. 

C ?U P kill.) the quietest and mildest of men, fleeing the commerce of 
— y-*w- / other nations, bartering yet with such as resort to them. None 
knoweth sacrifices, but every one is judge to himself of that which is 
right. They tell, that the commonwealth is governed by a council 
of five thousand, every one of whom findeth an elephant to the com- 
monwealth. (Jo. Boem, Lib. II. Ch. 9. Strabo, Lib. XV.) The 
chief city, by Ptolemy, is placed in 177° 15' and 38° 36' *. This re- 
gion he limiteth on the west with Scythia extra Imaum; on the east 
with terra incognita, and likewise on the north, (here some place 
the promontory Tabin, there the Eastern Ocean) ; on the south, with 
part of India extra Gangem: our silks have the name of this region. 
The Seres are supposed to inhabit the country now called Cathay, which 
name Niger deriveth from a Scythian nation called Chatcej'. 

* * * * 

In the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries of the Christian era, the 
Mongol Grand Khans who resided at Pekin, and the viceroys their 
relations in Shensi, Yunan, &c. possessed many thousands of elephants: 
those animals being a considerable part of the war establishment. — 
Since that period, elephants appear to have been kept for parade, hunt- 
ing, and as beasts of burthen. " Ships, on the Kiang-keou, are drawn 
by elephants to Quinsay J." 



* It is well known, that a true knowledge of the longitudes has not very long 
been ascertained. Pekin is only 134° from Ferro. 
f Purchas, Vol. T. p. 399. 
t VincentleBlanc,p. 103. 



TRIBUTE OF ELEPHANTS FROM MALACCA, PEGU, AND SIAM. 

Emanuel Carvalius was at Cambalu, (Pekin), in the year 1598, 
when the Emperor had four hundred elephants, which were brought 
from Malacca and Pegu f. 

* * * * 

When Mr. Bell was at Pekin, he says J — " After dinner we saw the 
huge elephants richly caparisoned in gold and silver stuffs. Each 
had a driver. We stood about an hour admiring these sagacious ani 
mals, who, passing before us at equal distances, returned again behind 
the stables, and so on, round and round, till there seemed to be no 
end of the procession. The plot, however, was discovered by the 
features and dress of the riders : the chief keeper told us there were 
only sixty of them. The Emperor keeps them only for show, and 
makes no use of them, at least in these northern parts. Some of 
them knelt and made obeisance to us ; others sucked up water from 
vessels, and spouted it through their trunks among the mob, or wher- 
ever the rider directed." 

* * * * 

" The Emperor's life guards were clothed in red calico, printed 
with red figures, and wore small hats with yellow feathers. They 
were armed with scymitars and lances. There were eight white sad- 
dle horses, for show. In the third court of state, were four extraor- 
dinarily large elephants, one of which was white. They were all co- 
vered with rich embroidered cloths, and their trappings, bridles, 
cruppers, &c. were ornamented with silver and gilt : on their backs was a 



91 



t Purchas, Vol. I. p. 48 2. 

N2 



t Chap. IX. 



INDIA PAYS TRIBUTE TO PERSIA, B. C. 1429. 

fine carved wooden castle, spacious enough for eight persons. Being- 
got out of the court, I mounted one of the Emperor's waggons with 
two wheels, and was drawn to my apartment by an elephant. There 
were ten persons on each side, with a rope in their hands fastened to 
the elephant's mouth, to lead him; and, on his neck, sat a man with 
an iron hook to guide him. He went but his ordinary rate, which 
obliged the men to run, to keep up with him. In the Emperor's sta- 
bles there were fourteen elephants : they made them roar, sing like a 
Canary bird, neigh, imitate a trumpet, go down on their knees, &c. — 
All these elephants were extraordinarily large, and the teeth of some a 
full fathom long. The Mandarines told me, that the king of Siam 
annually sends several by way of tribute f." 

* # # * 

Thus we find, that from the earliest history to the present times, 
the Chinese have always possessed numerous elephants; and that 
they have, from the beginning, had wars with the Tartars in and 
about Siberia. 

PERSIA. 

Persia had wars in very early times with Hindostan. Towards the 
close of the era of the royal dynasty of the Marajas, the first invasion 
of India by the Persians is placed. A prince of the blood royal of 
India, being disgusted with the reigning prince, fled to Persia, whose 
king was called Feredon : he espoused the cause of the prince, invaded 
Hindostan, and carried on a war with that empire for ten years. The 



t Isbrant's Ides. Harris's Voy. Vol. II. p. 949. 



KINOGE BUILT.— GOUR, CAPITAL OF BENGAL. 

Maraja ceded part of his dominions to the fugitive prince, who was his 
nephew. A tribute was sent to the Mng of Persia, and the empire of 
India seems ever after to depend in some measure on Persia. During 
this war the governors of Ceylon and of the Carnatic rebelled. The 
Persians threatened a second invasion, to prevent which all the pro- 
vinces on the Indus were ceded to the king of Persia. When the 
Marajas family became extinct, Kesroraja mounted the throne of In- 
dia, as near as can be computed, in the year 1429, before Christ. He 
solicited the aid of his lord paramount, the king of Persia. Kesroraja, 
assisted by Persian troops, subdued Ceylon and the Decan, he con- 
tinued the tribute to Persia, and his dynasty reigned in the capital of 
Oud for two hundred and twenty years. 

In 1209, B. C. Ferosra was on the Indian throne. He neglected 
war, and expended the revenues on devotees and enthusiasts, and in 
building religious temples. Nevertheless, Persia being invaded by the 
Tartars, he took that opportunity to recover the provinces on the In- 
dus. It is said that the Punjab remained in possession of the Indian 
monarchs till the reign of Kei-kobad, king of Persia. In his time, Rus- 
tum Dista, king of Seistan, (Segistan), the Hercules of the East, invad- 
ed the northern provinces of India, and dro ve the last prince of the dy- 
nasty of Ferosra, to the mountains of Turhat, and from thence to the 
confines of Bengal and Orissa, where he died. Rustum raised to the 
throne, Suraja, a man of abilities, and restored the power of the em- 
pire, B< C. 1072. Kinoge was built by one of this family. The tri- 
bute continued to be paid to Persia. 

In the eighth century before the Christian era, Sincol, a native of 
Kinoge, rebelled, defeated the imperial army, and mounted the throne. 
He rebuilt the capital of Bengal, Lucnouti or Goura, which became 
an amazingly magnificent city. Sincol refused to pay the tribute to 
Persia. Pieran, a Persian general, invaded India with fifty thousand 



DELHI BUILT.— GREEKS INVADE INDIA. 

horse: he was beaten by Sincol; and posted himself in a strong hold. 
From this place he sent letters to his king, Afrasiab, who reigned also 
over great part of Tartary ; he was then on the borders of China. He 
came to battle with Sincol, and, with one hundred thousand horse, 
pursued him to Goura. Sincol retreated to the mountains. He 
thought it most prudent to beg peace and forgiveness: he therefore 
went to the camp, in the character of a suppliant, with a sword and a 
coffin carried before him, to shew that his life was at the king's disposal. 
Sincol was carried to Tartary, as a hostage for the obedience of his 
son Rohata, who was placed upon the throne of Hindostan. Sincol 
died B. C. 731. Rohata had sent to Persia one-third of his revenues, 
as tribute, and to support his father. Sincol's dynasty held the scep- 
tre eighty-one years. 

Maraja, a Rajaput chief, now succeeded to the empire. He was 
contemporary with Hystaspes, father of Darius, who mounted the Per- 
sian throne after the death of Smerdis, by the Hindoo chronology, B. 
C. 586; which agrees almost exactly with that established by Sir Isaac 
Newton. Maraja reigned forty years. Kedaraja, his nephew, suc- 
ceeded him. 

The mountaineers of Cabul and Candahar, now called Afghans or 
Patans, recovered all the provinces on the Indus. Jei-chund, the 
commander in chief of Kedaraja's armies, succeeded him. He reign- 
ed sixty years. Jei-chund punctually paid the Persian tribute. Delu, 
brother of Jei-chund, seized the throne from his nephew, Jei-chund's 
eldest son. He built the city which bears his name, Delhi. In the 
reign of Delu, Phoor, a prince of his own family, rebelled against the 
Emperor, marched to Kinoge, defeated his sovereign, and confined him 
in the fort of Rhotas. Phoor extended his power from sea to sea, and 
restored the empire to its pristine dignity. He died after a long reign, 
and left the empire to his son, Phoor II. who, in consequence of the 



MANY ELEPHANTS IN PERSIA. 95 

troubles in Persia, neglected to pay the tribute; he was the Porus van- C ^ ? * 
quished by Alexander the Greatf . k^^-^j 



The hero Roostum, in the battle in which he slew the king of Ma- 
zenderan, is said to have killed a number of elephants. We must con- 
clude, from both the ancient history and the sculptures of Persia, that 
this animal once abounded in that kingdom. The province of Mazen- 
deran is, from climate and abundance of vegetation, more favourable to 
their support than any other in the empire j. 

# * * * 

The sides of the arch (at Tackt-i-Bostan) are covered with repre- 
sentations, in bas relief, of the boar hunt. Some are mounted on 
horses, and others on elephants. The ponderous elephants, with their 
riders, plunge through the marshy bushes in every direction. An up- 
right compartment, on one side of the chase, is dedicated to the carry- 
ing of the spoil ; and the division opposite, to a range of elephants in 
pursuit of the deer §. 

* # * * 

The army of Artaxerxes consisted of a hundred and twenty thou- 
sand horse, seven hundred elephants with towers filled with archers, 

f See Dow's Hindostan, Introduction. The reader is requested to excuse 
some few repetitions, on the consideration of various histories confirming each 
other as to events ; but to elucidate the periods of most of them appears hopeless, 
till Alexander's invasion of India. 

% Sir John Malcolm's History, Vol. I. p. 35. 

§ Sir R. K. Porter's Travels in Persia, Vol. II. p. 79, and plate LXII1. 



IMMENSE HUNTING NETS. 

upon their backs ; and one thousand eight hundred chariots armed 
with scythes f. 

# # # # 

Elephants are used all over the east, in the amusements of the 
chase; and hunting was always a royal sport in Persia. Alexander 
the Great, when he was there, killed a fierce lion, and was compli- 
mented by the Lacedemonian ambassadors. Philotas, son of Parme- 
nio, had hunting nets that would enclose the space of a hundred fur- 
longs j. 

# * # * 

As to eagles, hawks, falcons, and other birds of prey, there is no 
country where they have more, or where they are better instructed, 
than in Persia. The Shah has eight hundred or a thousand of them; 
and there is no man of any figure, without his hawks and falconers. 
The hawks are taught not only to fly at birds, but at hares, deer, and 
all manner of wild beasts. By fixing themselves on the head of the 
animal, and beating him with their wings, he is so terrified and dis- 
tracted, that the dogs and huntsmen, which follow, have very little dif- 
ficulty in taking him§. 

* * * * 

We had a sight of prince Polagi's elephant, and were astonished 
at his monstrous bulk; he exceeded the height of any two men, and 
was much larger than any we saw at Ispahan, where there was a great 
number of them ; he was governed by a little boy. 

t Gibbon supposes this force much exaggerated by Alexander Severus. 
% Plutarch. § Harris's Voy. Vol. II. p. 887. 



96 



CHAP. 
III. 



A JOVIAL HUNTING PARTY IN PERSIA 

* * * * 

There were driven into the enclosure thirty-two wild asses, at 
which the king discharged some balls, and shot some arrows. He 
then permitted the ambassadors and lords to shoot at them. The 
beasts having sometimes ten, or more, arrows shot into their bodies, 
would fall a biting and running at one another in a strange manner. 
Having killed all that were wounded, thirty more wild asses were 
let in ; which were killed and laid in a row before the king, to be sent 
to the court kitchen at Ispahan. The Persians highly esteem the 
flesh. On the 26th Nov. (1637), the king (Shah Sefi) returned from 
the hunting so drunk, as also were most of the lords, that they could 
hardly sit their horses f . 

At the great hunts of lions, leopards, tigers, panthers, ounces, boars, 
stags, hyaenas, &c. they make use of the yourze, (hunting leopard). 
When they are too large to be carried behind the rider upon a horse, 
they are placed in an iron cage, and carried upon an elephant; and 
thence leap upon their prey J. The ordinary number of animals 
slaughtered is seven or eight hundred, but they relate that as many as 
fourteen thousand have been killed sometimes 

t Ambassador's Travels, pp. 191, 212, 213. 

% Such importance have the Persians always attached to these sports, that they 
record in their history, that — " Hushing, probably contemporary with Minos, and 
king of Persia, B. C. 865, was the first who bred dogs and leopards for hunting, 
and introduced the fashion of wearing the furs of wild beasts in winter." Sir Wil- 
liam Jones, Vol. V. p. 588. 

§ Voyage de Chardin, en Perse, Vol. II. p. 33. 

o 



97 



CHAP. 
III. 



LEOPARDS CARRIED UPON ELEPHANTS. 

* * * 

The envoy from Batavia made his public entry into Ispahan, pre- 
ceded by six elephants, which the governor had sent to the king. 
A. D. 1717 f. 

# # if * 

The Khan (of Shamaehie), desirous to let the ambassadors see how 
expert he was in shooting, bid them observe one of the lamps that 
stood near them, to see whether he struck it out with the first musket- 
shot, which he did twice following. On the 27th, he, being engaged 
in business, sent us his huntsmen, his hounds, and his hawks ; as also 
a leopard, which, being excellently taught, started with as much swift- 
ness as a greyhound, and gave us all the satisfaction which hunting 
could afford. He discovered no hare which he took not, and came on 
at the least call with more command than any setting dog, leaping up 
behind the person who had the ordering of him. Olearius, pp. 156, 
162. 

$, * * * »«• rmd£ 

Every day, at Delhi, were given combats of elephants, bulls, lions, 
and other wild beasts. 

On the 26th of March, and following days, the commissaries secured 
treasures in precious jewels beyond conception: fifteen crores (a hun- 
dred and fifty millions) of rupees, horses, and elephants innumerable. 
Nadir apprised the king of Bokara, that, as that empire belonged to 



CHAP. 
111. 



t Bell of Antermony, 



FOURTEEN ELEPHANTS SENT TO ST. PETERSBURG. 99 

the descendants of Genghis Khan, he was resolved to secure its tran- CHAP. 

HI. 

quillity, for which purpose he should visit it. He sent at this time ^f^***^ 
fourteen chain elephants and other presents to the Emperor of Rus- 
sia. The captured artillery and elephants were sent from Cabul to 
Herat. 

At Meschihd, (A. D. 1740), an ambassador from India, presented to 
Nadir Shah, letters assigning certain revenues, and many chain ele- 
phants. 

His Majesty sent to the Grand Seignior a throne of solid gold, or- 
namented with large pearls, and two chain elephants that had been 
taught, at the sound of instruments, to dance*. Nadir Shah brought 
three hundred elephants from Delhi to Persia f . 



The king of Persia's elephants are much larger than those exhibited 
in Europe : they were richly caparisoned, and mounted by Indians. 
Their bodies were painted with various colours, while their trunks, 
tails, and tusks, were guilded. A child makes them obey his orders, 
and they are trained to kneel in the manner of camels ; to salute the 
king with their proboscis ; to cry out ; to shake their ears when they 
are ordered ; in short, to raise themselves on their hind legs. A 
group of tumblers dexterously mounted the largest of the king's ele- 
phants, and the young rope dancer gave us new alarms, by making an 
extremely dangerous leap backwards from the crupper of the sad- 
dle +. 

* Sir W. Jones's Works, Life of Nadir Shah, Vol. V. 
t Universal Magazine, January, 1754. 

X Tancoign's Journey into Persia, with the embassy of General Gardane, 1807. 
O 2 



100 



CHAP. 
III. 

— * ' ORIGIN OF THE MODERN TURKS. 

Butezena, the first leader of the Turks, A. D. 545, (whose resi- 
dence was by the Altai, or Golden Mountains, near the river Irtish, 
in latitude 49 by the learned Chinese accounts,) married a Chinese 
princess. In the course of fifty years, the Turks made war upon the 
Persians, Chinese, and Romans; and their conquests extended to the 
fro%en ocean. The Chinese bought off these conquerors by tribute. 
The Turks subdued the Ogars on the banks of the Til (Volga) and 
slew immense numbers. They made a treaty with Justinian, the 
Roman Emperor, who sent ambassadors to the Altai mountains. 
They were feasted in tents with embroidered silk hangings, the royal 
seat was of gold, and also the cups and vessels out of which they drank. 
A bed of massy gold was raised upon four golden peacocks. Silver 
statues, dishes and basons, of admirable workmanship, were ostenta- 
tiously piled up upon waggons. When Disabal had celebrated the 
obsequies of his father, he was saluted by the ambassadors, from Con- 
stantinople, of the Emperor Tiberius, who proposed an invasion of 
Persia. The Grand Khan answered them by putting his ten fingers 
to his mouth, " You Romans," said he, " speak with as many tongues 
of deceit and perjury. A Turk disdains a falsehood. You precipi- 
tate your allies into danger ; you favour my fugitives, the Ogars. I 
know their route and am acquainted with the course of the Neister, 
the Danube, and the Hebrus. The most warlike nations, from the 
rising to the setting sun, have yielded to the Turks." Disabal sent 
ambassadors to the Emperor Maurice, styling himself lord of the seven 
climates, master of the seven races. The south boundary of the 
Turks was the Oxus *. 

* See Gibbon's Roman Empire, Ch. XLIL 



101 



SCYTHIA. — TURAN. — TURQUESTAN. 

" Chaganus, the Scythian king, sent ambassadors to the Emperor 
Mauritius, (who died A. D. 602). He styled himself governor of 
seven nations. He conquered the Abdelae, the Avares, and the Ogar 
nation, which dwell by the river Til or Volga. He conquered also 
the king of Colch, in which war he slew three hundred thousand 
people. He subdued also the Turks at the hill Icar, four hundred 
miles distant from the Golden Mountain, which is in the east, rich in 
fertility and store of cattle, and which the greatest Chagan among the 
Turks always possesseth. They call their priests Taisan, that is, the 
son of God. This city is divided by a stream ; they say it was built 
by Alexander when he had overcome the Sogdians and Bactrians. 
The king's wives, shining with jewels, are carried in golden chariots, 
each drawn with one bull ; the bridles embossed with gold. Fame 
attributeth another city, not far from hence, to Alexander, called Chub- 
dan; the prince whereof being dead, his wives in bjack, with shaven 
heads, continually mourn, and may never forsake the sepulchre. 
They have many elephants ; and traffic with the northern Indians, 
who make silk. Thus much I thought worth adding out of Simocat- 
ta, for better knowledge of the Turkish, Tartarian, and Scythian 
history f ." 

* * # * 

" As I have pointed out the course of the Irtish till it reaches Tobolsk, 
says Mr. Bell, I will mention what I have heard from an ingenious 
gentleman, who fills a public place in Siberia, about the Kontaisha, or 

t Purchas, Vol. I. p. 397, Chaganus is, no doubt, the Latinism for khan of 
khans. 



KONTAISCHA OF THE KALMUCS. 

prince of the Kalmucs. His territories are bounded on the North 
by the Russian power, (see map, flag 23), by China on the east, and by 
the Great Mogul on the south. He is able to bring into the field, at 
a short warning, a hundred thousand horse-men, all able-bodied men, 
well mounted, and armed with bows and arrows, lances and sabres. 
They live in tents all the year, removing at their convenience. This 
is the most ancient and pleasant manner of life. It is entertaining to 
hear them commiserate those who are confined to one place of abode, 
and obliged to support themselves by labour. There are always some 
thousands encamped near the Kontaisha, who treat him with great 
veneration and respect. He is attentive to the interests of his peo- 
ple, and as assiduous in the administration of justice, as if they were 
his own children. A person may travel in his dominions with greater 
safety to his person and effects than in many other countries. The 
deputy from the governor of Siberia, with his servants, were admitted 
into the tent, where the Kontaisha sat with his queen and several 
children about him. He desired all of them to sit down, on carpets or 
mats. They were entertained with tea before dinner: and after it 
the Kontaisha dismissed the deputy in a friendly manner, telling him 
he would give him the answer to the governor's letter the next day, 
which he punctually performed. They write with brevity and per- 
spicuity. I have seen some of their letters translated, which pleased 
me extremely : they use no tedious preambles or disgusting repetitions. 
The Kontaisha some time ago claimed and took possession of some 
towns on the Chinese frontier. The Emperor sent an army of three 
hundred thousand men, under the command of his fourteenth son, the 
best general of all his children. The Kontaisha defeated them in 
several actions, and peace was concluded. The Chinese had marched 
from the west of China through a desert and barren country, encum- 
bered with artillery, and heavy carriages with provisions for the whole 



FIVE HUNDRED ELEPHANTS EXPOSED TO EXTREME COLD. 

army : by which their force was much diminished. On their approach 
within a few days march of the Kontaisha, he sent out detachments 
of light horse to set fire to the grass, lay waste the country, and dis- 
tract them day and night with alarms. This is their ancient practice, 
by which they deprive their enemies of provisions, while they have 
always spare horses to kill and eat. This must be the same prince 
who is called the Great Cham of Tartary. As no Europeans travel 
through this country, our maps must be very erroneous." Journey to 
Pekin, 1720, Ch. II. 

* * * * 

The following is particularly important, on account of proving that 
elephants will live in the severest cold. We also find that Timur 
did not lose any elephants, although " his troops were obliged to dig 
for water, two or three cubits through the ice; as, from the sun's enter- 
ing Sagittarius to his coming out of Pisces, waggons, men, and beasts 
could pass any part either of the Gihon or the Sihon. Horses and 
men perished, some losing their hands, feet, ears, or noses *." 

The king of Cashgar met Mamood's army five farsangs from Balich, 
or Bale. Mamood strengthened his line with five hundred chain ele- 
phants. Some chosen squadrons, under the command of Elich, hav- 
ing thrown his centre into disorder, Mamood mounted an elephant 
and violently assaulted Elich. The elephant seized the standard 
bearer with his trunk, and tossed him aloft into the air. Mamood 
then pressed forward, and totally defeated the king. It was winter, 
and he pursued the enemy two days; though, on account of the incle- 
mency of the season, the troops were hardly capable of motion. On 
the third night, a great storm of wind and snow overtook the Ghiz- 



103 



* Sherefeddin, Vol. II. p. 379. 



AN IMMENSELY LARGE ELEPHANT. 

nian army in the desert. The troops were obliged to lie in the snow ; 
and in the morning, some hundreds of men and horses were found to 
have perished with cold. A.D. 1007f. 

* * * * 

Mamood had a white elephant, and, when mounted upon that ani- 
mal during an engagement, he esteemed it as a certain pledge of vic- 
tory J. 

* * * * 

Mamood, returning to Balich, gave the government of Herat to his 
son, Masaood. Hethen marched with a hundred and thirty thousand 
horse and foot, through the mountains behind Cashmere, by way of 
Thibet, to Kinoge. 

The Indian prince submitted, and paid the plunder of the city, and 
fifty elephants. The Sultan proceeded to Mavin, on the Jumna, which 
surrendered. He found much spoil, and seventy elephants of war. 

At Mutra, he captured five great idols of pure gold, and above one 
hundred of silver; and loaded a hundred camels with bullion. From 
the Raja Jundroy he took three hundred and fifty elephants, fifty- 
three thousand captives, jewels, pearls, and precious effects, which 
could not be properly estimated: nor was the private spoil less. 
Jundroy had an elephant of a most uncommon size, such as had never 
before been seen in Hindostan; nor was he more remarkable for his 
enormous bulk, than for his docility and courage. Mamood, having 

f Dow, Vol. I. p. 46. No instance has been met with of an elephant being kill- 
ed by the cold. 

t D'Herbelot, Vol.11, p. 41. 



104 

CHAP. 
III. 



THIRTEEN HUNDRED ELEPHANTS IN MAVERULNERE. 105 

heard much of this elephant, sent to the Raja, offering him advanta- C ** A p 
geous terms of peace, and a great sum of money for this animal. But 
the obstinacy of Jundroy would never listen to any terms with the 
mussulmans; so that Mamood, with regret, was obliged to desist. 
The elephant, however, happened one night to break loose from his 
keepers, and went into the Ghiznian camp ; where he permitted him- 
self to be mounted and brought before the king; who received him 
with great joy, and named him " The Gift of God," because he came 
by accident into his hands. # * * The king, on his return to Ghisni, 
ordered a magnificent mosque of marble, of such beauty, as struck 
every beholder with astonishment and pleasure. It was adorned with 
such elegant carpets, chandeliers, and other ornaments, of silver and 
gold, that it became known by the name of " The Celestial Bride." 
Near this mosque, he founded an university, which he furnished with a 
vast collection of curious books, in various languages ; and with na- 
tural and artificial curiosities. He appropriated a sufficient fund for 
the maintenance of the students, and learned men, who were appointed 
to instruct the youth in the sciences f. 

# ' . # * * 

In the year 1024, Mamood marched to Balich with fifty-five thou- 
sand chosen horse, and thirteen hundred elephants, to expel Tiggi 
from the government of Maverulnere, for oppressing the people, who 
had complained to the king of his tyranny. Kudir, king of Turques- 
tan, paid Mamood a visit, and was received with joy and friendship, 
with whom Mamood entered into a treaty; and the monarchs, on 

t Dow's Hindostan, Vol. I. p. 59. 
P 



106 ELEPHANT GUARD AT LASSA. 

CHAP, taking leave, made an exchange of princely presents f. Tiggi fled, 
^-v-^ but was overtaken, and confined for life t . 



OF BOUT AN, A. D. 1659. 



From Goruckpour to the foot of the high mountains, is eight or 
nine days journey ; during which, the caravan suffers great hardships, 
the country being nothing but wide forests, full of wild elephants. Six 
leagues beyond Goruckpour, you enter Napaul : which territories ex- 
tend to the frontiers of Boutan. The Raja resides at the city of Na- 
paul, and he pays the Mogul every year an elephant for homage, It 
took the caravan eight days to cross the mountains of Naugrocot. 
Women came down, to carry the travellers upon a cushion fixed on 
their backs; three women to carry one man. The luggage and provi- 
sions are laden upon goats, which carry one hundred and fifty pounds 
weight each. After you have passed the mountains, you may travel 
to Boutan upon oxen, camels, horses, or palanquins. The men and 
women are clad, in summer, with fustian or hempen cloth, in winter 
with a thick cloth almost like felt. Had the natives of Boutan as 
much art as the Muscovites in killing the martin, they might vend 
great stores of those rich furs, considering what a number there is in 
that country. There are always fifty elephants kept about the king 
of Boutan's house ; and twenty-five camels, each with a piece of artil- 
lery upon its back, which carries a half-pound ball. No king in the 
world is more feared, respected, and adored. They assured me, as a 
truth, that when his majesty has done the deeds of nature, they care- 
fully collect the ordure, dry it, powder it, and carry it in a box like 

f We may reasonably presume that elephants formed a part of these presents. 
$ Dow, Vol. I. p. 65. 



ASSAMESE INVADE BENGAL. 107 

snuff, to present to their friends, in small quantities, as a great rarity, CI J^ P * 
to strew upon their meat. They have no one to fear but the 
Mogul ; and from him they are fenced with high, steep, craggy and 
snowy mountains. Northward, nothing but vast forests and snow ; 
East and West, nothing but bitter water; and as for the Rajas near 
them, they are princes of little force. In the year 1659, the Duke of 
Muscovy's ambassador passed through this country to the king of 
China*. 

OF ASSAM. 



In the year 1638, the Tartars of Assam invaded Bengal. They 
rushed down the Burhampooter in armed boats, to where it falls into 
the Ganges below Dacca. They plundered the northern districts, 
and took several small forts. Islam, governor of Bengal, defeated 
them, and killed four thousand ; and captured five hundred of their 
armed vessels. Fifteen forts, and the king of Assam's son in law, fell 
into his hands. He reduced the province of Cochagi, and invaded 
that of Buldive. The latter was very obstinately defended. Few pass- 
es led into it, being environed with mountains. The Subadar at last 
forced the passes, and the enemy fled to the mountains. The sove- 
reign of Buldive, harassed with fatigue and vexation, died. The 
unfortunate Assamites beheld, from their hills and woods, the smoke 
of their burning towns. But Islam having burnt the grain, inadvert- 
ently, the scarcity obliged him to retreat. He suffered incredible 
hardships by the badness of the roads and the torrents from the hills; 

* Tavernier, P. II. B. III. Ch XV. At Chamnaning in Thibet, Lat. 30° 44', Mr. 
Bogle, in 1774, found Fahrenheit's thermometer in his room 29 degrees below the 
freezing point. While Mr. B. was at that place, several Mongols and Calmucs ar- 
rived from Siberia, with whom the Tayshoo Lama conversed. 



108 



ELEPHANTS BURIED WITH THE KINGS. 



CHAP, besides which, the rainy season produced a distemper in the imperial 
^■^^j army. Thibet was at the same time reduced by Ziffer. The news of 
this double conquest greatly pleased the Emperor, no Mahomedan 
prince in India having before ever penetrated into those countries f. 



Aurungzebe's general, Meer Jumla, invaded Assam, and brought 
from thence several iron cannons, and store of excellent powder, both 
made in that country. He landed his army in the 29 th or 30 th degree 
of latitude, having sailed up the mouth of the Ganges, that comes from 
Lake Chiamay, and burnt and sacked all wherever he came, to the 35th 
degree % : there he understood that the king of Assam was in the field, 
with a more powerful army than he expected; he therefore retreated 
to the south-west, and besieged and plundered the city of Aroo, where 
are the tombs of their sovereigns. He found great wealth. They bury 
with their kings idols of gold and silver, one elephant §, twelve camels, 
six horses, many hounds. All his beloved wives, and the principal offi- 
cers, poison themselves, to be buried with him. At Kenneroof, the 
king keeps his court. It is a rich and abundant country. All 
the natives live at their ease ; every one has a house by himself; and 
in the middle of his ground a fountain, encompassed with trees ; and, 
most commonly, every one an elephant to carry his wife j|. 

t Dow's Hindostan, Vol. III. p. 162. 

% Along account of this invasion is in Dow's Hist. Vol. III. p. 357. A. D. 1665. 

§ Although there is no direct evidence that Assam was conquered hy the 
Grand Khans, as the surrounding states were all reduced, it is not probable that 
Assam escaped the general fate. See M. Polo, note 887. 

|| Tavernier, Part II. B. III. Ch. XVII. See also Sir W. Jones's Supplement, 
Vol. I. p. 231. 





f 1111 B H 

(or f AIllLAIl) 

Trom. an. IiLlLaTL Toxtrait m. the Tofsefsion of th.e Autkor 



109 



CHAPTER IV. 

Sketch of the life of Timur Bee, or Tamerlane. His Battles 

in Siberia Russia Hindostan Syria Georgia 

Asia Minor. Elephants. Extraordinary Splendour 

of his Court. His Death. Ruin of his Empire. Em- 
bassy from his son, Shah Rohk, to the Emperor of China. 
Origin of the Gypsies. 

TiMUR Bee, or Tamerlane, was descended, in the female line, from 

CHAP. 

Genghis Khan. He was born at Sebzar in the territory of Kesh, near iv. 



April 9, 



Samarcand, in the year 1336. 

The empire of Turquestan and Transoxiana was given by Genghis 
Khan to his son Zagatai : his descendant, Sultan Cazan, succeeded to 
the throne in 1332. He proved a cruel tyrant, and fell in the field of 
battle in 1346. Confederate chiefs placed other princes, successively, 
upon the throne ; but, through dissentions among the chiefs, the whole 
country became a scene of anarchy and despair. During these trou- 
bles, Togluc Timur Khan,.king of the Getes *, who was descended from A ^ 
Zagatai, resolved to make himself master of the country, to which, as 
hereditary Grand Khan, his birth gave him a just title ; and he levied 
an army for that purpose. 

Hadgi Berlas, (the name of a noble tribe) to whom and his ancestors 



* Gete or Geta appears, throughout, to include Central and Western Siberia, 
as well as Cashgar. See Chap. V. 



COMMENCEMENT OF TIMUR'S GOOD FORTUNE.— HIS POWER. 

the town of Kesh and its dependencies had always belonged, was the 
uncle of Timur. He was one of the confederate princes, and levied as 
many troops in the cities of Kesh and Carshi as he could, in order to 
assist in repelling the invasion; but, changing his resolution, he 
marched to Chorassan. 

Timur's father, Tragai, had just paid the debt of nature; and his 
uncle, Hadgi Berlas, having fled, Timur conceived himself to be the 
only person who could put a stop to the insult, with which a foreign 
army threatened his unhappy country. He repaired to his uncle, re- 
presented the dangers that awaited them, and proposed going to the 
king of the Getes to offer his services, by which he hoped to avert the 
impending ruin. Hadgi Berlas embraced him, and, feeling persuaded 
that his nephew was inspired by Heaven, approved of his project. 

Timur set out, and at Cuzar he met the conductor of the scouts of 
the king; to whom he behaved so handsomely that Hadgi Yesouri, 
which was the conductor's name, promised not to commit any hostili- 
ties before a conference was had with the three Mongol princes who 
had gone forward. Timur returned to Kesh, where the princes had 
arrived. They expressed great pleasure at his having submitted to 
the Grand Khan, and gave him the command of a toman (ten thou- 
sand) which was formerly under his ancestor Caratchar*. They also 
gave him the principality of Kesh, with all its dependencies. Peace 
was thus restored ; and it was said of Timur, that at the sight of him 
alone sorrow was changed into joy. 

Dissentions arising among the princes, they returned with all their 
troops to the king, who was at Tashkund. 

Timur's person is described as tall and well formed, and that na- 
ture had set in his eyes such majesty, that men could scarcely endure 

* On this subject see page 23 of Timur's Institutes. 



TIMUR AT THE COURT OF SAMARCAND. Ill 

to look on them. He wore his hair long, contrary to the Tartarian c ^ p * 
custom, pretending that his mother was of the race of Sampson *. He ^-<^y-*^ 
was grave and modest in his deportment, a strict observer of his word, 
and rigidly attached to the religion and law of Mahometf . 

Timur's country had begun to enjoy the benefits of his clemency 
and justice, when he heard that his uncle was on his return to Kesh, 
with hostile intentions. On which Timur, joined by prince Keser, 
marched, and at Akiar a bloody battle took place in favor of Timur ; 
but, for some reason, not related, Timur's troops deserted him, and 
went over to his uncle ; leaving with Timur only the prince Yakou. 
Keser, on this, also deserted Timur, entertaining jealousy and a bad 
opinion of him. 

The Mongol Khan, king of Gete, again invaded Transoxiana with A.D. 1360. 
a great army; on his arrival at Cogende, Bayazid the prince of that 
place went to pay his respects. Hadgi Berlas followed his example. 
Bayazid being seized and put to death, Hadgi Berlas took the alarm, 
and fled to Kesh ; whence he again advanced with some troops. The 
Khan sent the regiment of Cashmir in pursuit of Berlas, who was de- 
feated; and, on his retreat to Chorassan, he was assassinated by rob- 
bers. Timur punished the assassins. 

A prince of distinction, fine genius, and prudence, named Mir Ha- 
med, who was in favour with the Khan, and the friend of Timur, pro- 
cured his invitation to the court at Samarcand. Timur was received 



* The portrait in this volume is from an Indian drawing in the possession of 
the writer. Timur was sixty-three years of age when at Delhi. 

t See Purchas, Vol. L p. 424, and the French Editor's Preface to Sherefeddin. 
The reader will bear in mind, throughout this life, that the lion's portrait is paint- 
ed principally by his own artist. Sherefeddin, however, is not more partial than 
Timur's enemies, the Turks and Arabs, are false and abusive. His history is the 
most authentic of any. See Gibbon, Ch. LXV. 



TIMUR'S HEROISM IN THE DESERT. 

graciously, and confirmed in the command of his troops, and in the 
sovereignty of Kesh. 

The empire having submitted to the authority of Togluc Timur, 
the Grand Khan, he gave the government of the country to his son, 
Elias Coga Aglen ; and appointed Bikidgek and other lords to attend 
the person of the prince. Timur Bee, on account of his wisdom, had 
in charge the principal administration of the affairs of state. Bikid- 
gek, by his insolent conduct, and opposition to the commands of the 
Khan himself, caused Timur Bee to quit Samarcand. He went to seek 
the emir Hussein, and at last met him in the desert of Kivac. The two 
princes discovered that the governor of that district designed to seize 
them ; on which they departed with only sixty men. Tekil, the go- 
vernor, pursued them with a thousand horse, and overtook them. Ti- 
mur and his friends defended themselves with such desperate vigour 
and heroism, that they killed or wounded all their assailants except 
fifty; by which their own party was reduced to seven. Hussein 
rushed full speed upon Tekil, and was surrounded, when Timur cut 
in amongst them, and Hussein disengaged himself. Tekil's party re- 
turned to the charge, and Hussein's horse, pierced with an arrow, fell 
under him. The princess, his wife, instantly dismounted and brought 
him her horse. Timur, with his sword in one hand and his bow in 
the other, was in a moment present, and shot Tekil in the face : he 
fell from his horse, and Timur transfixed him to the earth with a half- 
pike, which he had snatched from the ground. Thus ended the perfi- 
dy and ambition of Tekil. 

Timur made Hussein remount his horse, and they re-entered the de- 
sert. Three of the seven soldiers left them. In this extremity, they 
agreed, for safety, to separate, that they might not be known. Timur 
went forward with his wife, Turcan Aga, sister of Hussein; and only 
one faithful servant. After they had passed the desert, they were sur- 



TIMUR'S GREAT DISTRESS.— HE IS WOUNDED IN THE HAND. 113 

rounded by a horde of Turcomans*, Timur, having had time to C HAP. 
hide his wife in a pit, rushed on them ; when one of them knew him, k^^-^> 
and instantly apologized. They feasted Timur, who next day pre- 
sented them with a large ruby, and some embroidered armour of great 
value. The chief presented Timur with three horses, and gave him 
Sarag Coulangi to serve him as a guide. In this condition Timur 
went to join Emir Hussein, who had taken another road. After they 
met, they got off their horses, and passed twelve days at a place called 
Mahmoudi, in a desert. Here they were discovered, surprised, and 
led to Macan, where Ali Bei imprisoned them sixty-two days in a 
filthy dark chamber, full of vermin. Mehemed, the brother of Ali Bei, 
warned him of the imprudence of treating these lords with so much 
indignity; when he, reluctantly, gave them their liberty, a poor lean 
horse, and an old camel. The prince of Sandger, hearing of his friend 
Timur's distress, testified his sorrow, and sent him acceptable succours. 
Emir Hussein now departed towards Hirmen, and Timur to Kesh. 

Timur and Hussein went to the assistance of the prince of Seistan : 
and having rendered him much service, on their return they met a 
great company of Seghzians, with whom they had a hot encounter; 
when Timur was dangerously wounded in the hand, which was there- 
by lamed for life f . 

Timur had many other reverses and instances of success: when the A.D. 1362. 

* Turcomans are said to be descended from the ancient inhabitants of Turkes- 
tan. See Abul Ghazi, Vol. II. p. 423. 

f " And when I saw that the ruler of Seistan fulfilled not his engagements, I 
was without remedy ; and I advanced towards them and gave them battle. And 
an arrow came and pierced my arm ; and another arrow came upon my foot, but 
in the end I obtained the victory over them. And when I saw that the air and the 
water of that country suited not with me, I departed from thence, and I came 
back to Kurrumsur; and I sojourned in that land for two months, until my 
wounds were healed." Timur's Institutes, p. 49. 

Q 



1U 



TIMUR IS CROWNED EMPEROR. 



CHAP. Grand Khan died, and was succeeded by his son Elias Coja. Timur 
v^-y^^ and Hussein, being joined by their friends, attacked the army of Elias 
and defeated it, taking the king and many princes prisoners. The 
king, assisted by some Turkish soldiers, who knew him, escaped to 
Gete. 

A.D. 1364. Tamerlane takes Samarcand without resistance. Cabulchah Aglen, 
descended from Genghis, was elected Grand Khan. At the battle of the 
Sloughs, Tamerlane is defeated by the king of the Getes, who be- 
sieges Samarcand, but is repulsed. 

The Emir Hussein and Tamerlane quarrel — the troops of the 
Emir are defeated — the king of the Getes marches to Tashkund. 

A.D. 1367. The Emir and Tamerlane are reconciled and join their forces — Dis- 
sentions arise among the lords in the army of the Getes, and the army 
retreats. 

A.D. 1369. Timur and the Emir Hussein were again at enmity; and in a great 
battle, the latter was killed; two of his sons were burnt and their ashes 
cast into the air *. Others fled into India, where they perished. 
Four of the princesses of his seraglio were taken into that of Timur. 
Hussein's treasures were seized, and his country of Badackshan sub- 
jected to Tamerlane; who was, now, aged thirty-four, crowned Em- 
peror of Zagatai. According to custom, handfuls of gold and jewels 
were showered upon his head. 

* " And there was relationship between me and Ameer Hossein; and although 
I treated him with kindness, he was not my friend ; and he even took from me 
the country of Bullukh and the castle of Shaudumaun. And I also, for the sake 
of his sister, who was in my house, regarded it not. And I shewed such kind- 
ness unto him, that the Ameers, who were in a state of enmity with me, submitted 
to my authority. But Ameer Hossein still acted towards me with treachery and 
fraud, and sought to overthrow me : even until I resolved that I would force him 
to submission by the edge of the sword." " And by experience it was known to 
me that a wise enemy is preferable to a foolish friend." Timur's Institutes, p. 
87 and 327. 



KINGDOM OF CARISME REDUCED TIMUR'S HAPPINESS. 115 

Timur returns from Bale to Samarcand, builds a castle and fortress, CHAP. 

IV. 

and makes it the capital of his empire : where vast numbers settled «^-^/ 
under his moderate and just government. 

After many years passed in campaigns, at length, the kingdom of A. D. 1387. 
Carisme was reduced, and Timur returned to Samarcand. Excited by 
a fatherly love to his children, he gave orders for preparations for a 
nuptial feast. This great city was adorned with the most magnificent 
stuffs, and branched candlesticks, in the public streets. Spacious 
tents were prepared in the Baghi Behicht, or Garden of Paradise, and 
the ground was covered with the richest carpets, adorned with pearls 
and precious stones. The Mirzas, Mehemet Sultan, Pir Mehemet, 
and Shah Rohk, were married to princesses as beautiful as Houris. Me- 
hemet Sultan was installed Grand Khan of Zagatai : and thus the 
crown of this vast empire was settled in Timur's family. The Em- 
peror passed the winter with all possible felicity and contentment. 

Tocatmich Khan*, whom Timur had placed upon the throne of A.D. 1388. 
Capchac, showed marks of ingratitude, insomuch that he levied a 
great army, composed of the troops of Russia, Circassia, Bulgaria, 
Capchac, Crim, Caffa, Elian, Azac, Bachgorod, and Muscovy. Poets 
have compared this army to the leaves f of the thickest trees, or drops 
of rain in an impetuous storm. The Emperor no sooner heard of 
Tocatmich having taken the field, than he marched at the head of the 
troops of Samarcand and Kesh J. The winter was so cold that the 
men were almost frozen to death. 

* Often spelt Toctamish, Touctummish. 
f His legions * * * 

Thick as autumnal leaves that strow the brooks 
Of Valombrosa. * * * Paradise Lost. (See note, p. 119.) 
% " For the private soldiers I ordained that on an expedition, every eighteen men 
should take one tent; and that each man should be supplied with two horses, 
a bow and quiver of arrows, with a sword, a saw, an axe, an awl ; with thread, 
ten needles, and a leathern knapsack." Institutes, p. 295. 

Q 2 



116 



DEEP SNOW. — BLOODY BATTLE. 



CHAP. Ilichmich Aglen, king of Carisme, who had fled to Tocatmich, com- 
*^>v~m*J manded his army ; and now arrived, and encamped at Ajouc Zernouc, 
near Cogende, on the Sihon. 



Timur resolved to give him battle. The lords of his council fell on 
their knees, and besought him to wait till the troops of the provinces 
arrived: but, as he was not ignorant of the proverb, that delays 
are dangerous, and that we ought never to put off till to-morrow what 
we are able to do to-day, their remonstrance was useless. 

Timur marched with the household troops. The snow was so deep 
that it touched the horses' bellies. Mirza Omar Cheik, with the 
troops of Andecan, joined him. A detachment was sent to fall on the 
enemy's rear, and prevent their flight. The next sun-rising discover- 
ed to them the army of the enemy. Nothing now was heard but the 
great cry, Siroun ! the noise of kettle drums, the clashing of scimitars, 
the neighing of horses, and the shouts of the soldiers. The conflict 
was terrible and bloody. Timur was victorious. The enemy fled; 
and being intercepted by the detachment at the rear, and pursued by 
the army, they were surrounded; and no quarter being given, the 
slaughter was very great. The celebrated Airde Birdi, secretary of 
state, was taken prisoner, and instantly made himself known, to save 
his head. He was conducted to Timur; and, informing the Emperor 
of the state of Tocatmich, was pardoned and received into favour*. 



A.D. 1389. In February, Timur decamped and marched to Samarcand. In the 
spring, Capchac was again invaded; but at the approach of Timur's 
army, the enemy fled, and were pursued to the deserts. The army 
encamped at Alcouchoun, a village in Capchac. The Emperor de- 
siring to pursue the war against Tocatmish, the lords of his council 
humbly represented the better policy of first reducing the king of the 



The secretaries wrote in the Tgurian character. 



TIMUR'S SICKNESS.— MARCH TO CAPCHAC. 117 

Getes. The Emperor, convinced by their reasoning, consented; and ^HAP. 
the army marched from Alcouchoun to invade the countries of Kezer s^-ymj 
Coja Aglen, king of the Getes and Mogulistan, and of prince Anca- 
toura*. 

Timur, in the autumn, resolved to make war on Capchac ; and set 
out to visit the tomb of Cheik Maslahet, both from a religious and po- 
litical motive ; in order to accomplish his designs. At Tashkund he 
lay dangerously sick for forty days. The great lords were seized with 
consternation; and prayers were offered to the Almighty. People 
feared that his sword would no longer be able to protect the weak, or 
keep the powerful within bounds : that houses would be plundered, 
and the cloisters, where true chastity is preserved, would be broken 
open. He was restored. He reviewed his army and put it in order. 
He distributed all the silver money that was in the treasury among the 
soldiers. 

The 12th of Sefer, the sun being in the eighth degree of Aquarius, A.D. 1391. 
Timur departed. He sent away all the ladies except his favorite Sul- 
taness Tchulpan Mule Aga, daughter of Hadgi Bei, prince of the 
Getes, who in this journey had the honor of privately conversing with 
the Emperor. An ambassador arrived from Tocatmich, king of Cap- 
chac, with a present of nine horses of surprising swiftness. Timur 
accuses the king of ingratitude, and threatens vengeance, unless the 
king be sincere; in which case he must send Ali Bei, to treat with his 
great Emirs; when he will do what is consistent with his dignity and 
the present conjuncture. 

The army marched forward, the horses were fatigued, and water was 
scarce; on the 9th of April, they encamped at Olouc Tacf. Timur 

* For an account of this invasion of Siberia, see Chap. V. 
f Or Ulug Tag. This must be the Steppe of Ishim. See Explanation of the 
Map, Flag, No. 1. 



118 



GREAT HUNT.— MOOSE DEER. 



CHAP, ascended a mountain, and saw with admiration those vast plains, which, 
IV. 

^r-^-^j for their space and verdure, resembled the sea. He ordered a stone 
obelisk to be erected, and inscribed the day on which Timur, with his 
army, arrived there, as a lasting monument to posterity. They cross- 
ed the Ilanjouc, which runs into the Tic, and arrived at Anacargou. — 
They had marched four months from Tashkund, and had neither met 
a man, nor seen any cultivated land. Victuals were so dear, that a 
sheep sold for a hundred dinars copeghi*. Provisions were allotted 
with economy, and a general hunt ordered for two days; a variety of 
beasts and birds were chased. Timur slew a number of fawns, ante- 
lopes, and roebucks, till his dinner hour, which was two hours and a half 
before noon; and then returned to his tent. The soldiers then slew 
such vast numbers that they selected the fat, and left the lean animals : 
among them there was a sort of stags larger than buffaloes, of which 
they killed a great many. They had never seen the like before. 



The hunting being finished, Timur was desirous to know the ex- 
act state of the troops. He ordered them to be placed by tomans, or 
ten thousands, and squadrons ; and that every soldier should have his 
lance, war club, poignard, leathern buckler, his sabre on his left side, 
and a half sabre on his right; and that their horses should be covered 
with tiger skins f. 

The Emperor then mounted his horse, clothed in his royal robes : 
upon his head was a golden crown, enriched with rubies ; in his hand a 
mace of gold, the top of it shaped like an ox's head. He reviewed 
the left wing, which he found in good order: he passed before the first 
rank, which was composed of the toman of Birdi Bei. This general 
leaped off his horse, and took notice to Timur of the looks, stature, 

* A dinar copeghi is above six shillings. 

t The tiger skin being a mark of distinction, this must be understood as allud- 
ing to the officers only. Tigers' skins are much esteemed. Le Blanc, p. 159, 
says, they send from Samarcand to Casubi in Pegu to purchase them. 



TIMUR REVIEWS HIS VAST ARMY. 



119 



armour, and address, of his soldiers : he then fell on his knees and kiss- CHAP. 

IV. 

ed the earth, and said — " Let all the world be obedient to Timur! ^^^-^ 
Our heads and our lives shall always be ready to be sacrificed at the 
feet of the horse of his Majesty!" Timur answered, and applauded 
the Bei ; wishing that, through the valour of this brave man, and those 
who are like him, the empire might continue always flourishing. The 
Emperor examined each company belonging to Birdi Bei's toman. — 
He then rode towards the toman of Codadad Hussein i, and found their 
stature and equipment to his satisfaction. He testified his friendship 
for that commander, for the good order in which he saw his toman. 

Cheik Timour, at the head of the hazares (corps of one thousand) 
of the hord of Selduz, came next in order of battle : these were armed 
with bows and arrows, scymitars, clubs, and nets to catch men. Then 
followed the large army of Omar Cheik, son of Timur, and prince of 
Andecan, whose ensigns were all displayed. This corps, being so nu- 
merous, detained the Emperor a long while. The prince congratulat- 
ed his majesty on the extent of his conquests. The Emperor was 
lavish in the praise of his son, and said, " I pray God, that fortune be 
at your disposal, and that it may always give you the advantage over 
your enemies." Timur was overjoyed, and advanced to the tomans 
and squadrons of Mahmoud Khan, the Emir Soliman Shah, and Me- 
hemed Sultan Behadur his grandson, and surveyed them with satisfac- 
tion. Two days, from morning till evening, were required for this 
review. The guards which made up the main body ; were ranged in 
hazares and tomans, commanded by several emirs and great generals. 
Timur applauded their exact order; and all admired the good conduct 
of the invincible Timur*. 



* It appears highly probable that Milton has taken Timur in some instances 
as his prototype for Satan. The allusions to Timur and Cyrus in the Paradise 
Lost, are numerous. I find in Purchas, Vol. I. p. 461. 3d Edit, " Alhacen Arabs 



120 



REMARK ON PARADISE LOST. 



CHAP. The Emperor's son Mehemet, on his knees, asked the honour of 
-^y-^/ commanding the scouts. Timur approved his zeal at so tender an 
age, reminded him that he had need of great presence of mind, a strong 
constitution and perfect activity, in an employ, on which the security 
of the army entirely depended f . 

hath written a liistorie of Timur, now extant in English." This is, however, a book 
of very doubtful authority, as the author describes an invasion of China by Timur. 
In the king of France's Library, No. 1499, there was a general history of Asia, 
written by Bin Abdallatif of Casbin, in the Persian language, up to the year 1514, 
which had been translated by Monsieur Gomin, into Latin ; and Thevenot, his un- 
cle, had it printed ; (this must mean N. M. Thevenot, keeper of the king's library. 
See life of Genghis, p. 413). Sherefeddin, whose work the writer has principally 
made use of, finished his life of Timur in 1423, and Bin Abdallatif, his country- 
man, no doubt, would copy from it; therefore Milton, at any rate, had the means 
of knowing from these sources the particulars of Timur's life. The translation 
by Petis de la Croix was published many years after Milton's death, which was in 
J674. This Petis de la Croix (son of the author of the life of Genghis Khan,) was 
born in 1654, and his history of Timur was not finished till after the death of Col- 
bert, in 1683. A better model than the Destroying Prince, as Timur has been 
called, could not be found. 



" Ten thousand banners rise into the air 
With orient colours waving : with them rose 
A forest huge of spears ; and thronging helms 
Appear'd, and serried shields in thick array 
Of depth immeasurable. * * * * 
Advanc'd in view they stand, a horrid front 
Of dreadful length and dazzling arms, * * 
Awaiting what commands their mighty chief 
Had to impose. He through the armed files 
Darts his experienc'd eye, and soon traverse 
The whole battalion views, their order due, 
Then- visages and stature. * * * 
* * * * ^nd now hi s heart 

Distends with pride." Paradise Lost. Book I. 

t Here he had need 

All circumspection, and we now no less 



TREMENDOUS BATTLE HIGH IN THE NORTH 

The prince, with some great emirs, departed on the 24th of April ; and 
for two days, though they saw many fires, they met not with one per- 
son. A Turcoman, who knew those deserts, was sent out in another 
direction, and wandered without finding any one for some days; at 
length, ten men in armour were seen to enter a wood; they were pur- 
sued, some slain, and some brought to the Emperor. 

Timur decamped, and on the 11th of May reached the river Tic, 
which runs into the Caspian ; and on the 17th the river Yaik*. There 
were many encounters between some small corps which advanced, and 
superior numbers of the enemy; in one of which the emir Acoutmer 
distinguished himself so heroically in his fall, that his children were 
exempted from punishment for crimes, except they were committed 
nine times. 

The army continuing to advance, had now arrived so far towards 
the pole, that the morning rays appeared in the east before the sun 
was entirely set. The king of Capchac still retreated, though there 
were daily skirmishes with the scouts, who always avoided fighting 
when they could ; but sought to surprise those of Timur. The emir 
Omar Cheik was sent with twenty thousand horse to seek Tocatmish ; 
on the morrow he came up with the scouts. Timur, being apprised 
of this, after six days bad weather, ranged his army in seven bodies, 
as if by inspiration from God, it not being usual. The princes and 
emirs wore coats of mail, or breast-plates of iron, and all of them 
polished helmets. * 

Choice in our suffrage; for, on whom we send, r 
The weight of all and our last hope relies." 

Par. Lost, B. II. 413. 
* " I ordained that in the field, each of the twelve select emirs should, with 
twelve thousand horsemen completely armed, for the space of one day and one 
night, when marching and when halting, be ready upon guard." Institutes of 
Timur, p. 299. 



DEFEAT OF THE KING OF CAPCHAC. 

Tocatraisli Khan's army was drawn up in a main body with two wings, 
and completely armed. All his chief commanders were of the imperial 
blood of Touschi, or of other illustrious Moguls. They ranged them- 
selves in a half moon; and then came in view. The Capchac army 
outnumbered that of the Emperor. 

Timur addressed himself to God by prayer. Having remounted 
his horse, all the army displayed their ensigns and standards, crying 
out, Alia Akbar! Souroon! At the sound of kettle drums and of the 
terrible trumpet, (Kerrenai) *, the battle commenced. Never before 
was there so great a confusion between heaven and earth f. Both 
sides began with half-pikes, swords, and iron clubs. Tocatmish's 
left wing withstood the attack bravely, but was entirely defeated. 
The right wing was overpowered. Timur had routed the main body; 
but Tocatmish traversed Timur's army with many squadrons, and re- 
solved on maintaining his ground. 

Timur, being informed of this, went after him ; and at sight of the 
imperial standard, Tocatmish, in despair, fled. His generals followed 
his example; and in the pursuit, there was a terrible slaughter: for 
forty leagues, the plains were covered with the slain. Thus was the 
ingratitude of the king of Capchac punished. Timur dismounting, 
fell upon his face, and returned thanks to the King of kings £. Seven 

* The kerrenai, or great trumpet, was fifteen feet in length. P. de la Croix, 
p. 160. 

f " All in a moment through the gloom were seen 
Ten thousand banners rise into the air 
With orient colours waving : * * * 
Sonorous metal blowing martial sounds : 
At which the universal host up sent 
A shout that tore Hell's concave, and beyond 

Frighted the reign of Chaos and old Night." Paradise Lost, B, I. 

% Timur, in his Institutes, says, page 121, " The design which I formed in de- 
feating Toctumish Khan, was this : when my armies were weakened by a pur- 



GRAND TRIUMPHAL FEAST AT SERAI, ON THE VOLGA. 

out of every ten cavalry, were dispatched to destroy the conquered ; 
they pursued them to the Volga, and upon its islands, where they cut 
them to pieces, not being able to cross *. The women, children, and 
spoil captured, it would be difficult to enumerate. Three princes of 
the blood of Touschi sought refuge with Timur, who gave them let- 
ters patent to govern their hords, free of the tax called " Gan." Two 
of them afterwards revolted f. 

Timur returned southward, and encamped on the plain Ourtoupa, 
on the bank of the Volga, remarkable for its verdure and pure air. 
His camp was three leagues on every side, and the imperial throne 
was fixed in his tent. All the camp and the pavilions were ornament- 
ed, and hung with curtains of brocade covered with gold flowers. 
Among the slaves were many beautiful girls; some were retained for 
the Emperor's seraglio: and five thousand of the finest youths, for 

suit of five months in the Dusht of Kipchauk, famine and scarcity were very 
great in my army, even so that, for many days, my people lived on the flesh of the 
beasts of the forests, and on the eggs of the birds of the desert. And Toctumish 
Khan with an army more numerous than the ants and the locusts, came upon me, 
and opposed me face to face. And my people were an hungered, and the army of 
Toctumish Khan were full. And my chiefs and my ameers set not their hearts 
upon battle until my sons and grandsons came, and kneeled down and devoted their 
lives unto me : and at this time the standard bearer of Toctumish plotted secretly 
with me. And I found that it was good that I should assault the foe ; and that 
when the two armies were engaged, the standard-bearer of Toctumish Khan 
should invert his standard. And when the flames of war and slaughter ascended 
high, I commanded that the tents should be pitched, and that they should prepare 
victuals. And at this time the standard of Toctumish Khan was inverted ; and 
Toctumish, dismayed and confounded, gave the tribe of Touschi to the wind of 
desolation, and turned his back on the field of slaughter, and fled." 

* The Russians perhaps know where this dreadful battle was fought. 

t " And I uttered execrations upon them, because, unmindful of that which 
they owed to their lord, they had thrown aside their honour and their duty, and 
come in unto me ; I said to myself, what fidelity have they observed to their liege 
lord? what fidelity will they shew unto me? Timur's Institutes," p. 175. 

R 2 



123 



CHAP. 
IV. 



124 SICKNESS OF THE EMPEROR.— HORSES SACRIFICED. 

C ^ P - posts in the household. The plain of Ourtoupa was the seat of the 

v^-v-*^ empire of Touschi*, son of the great Genghis. 

A solemn and magnificent feast was prepared. Meats and li- 
quors were served up in vessels of gold and jewels, by the hands of 
the most beautiful of the women. Timur's handsomest ladies attended 
him; and each lord had his own, with the cup in her hand, to accompany 
the voices and airs of the musicians. Songs of love and war were 
sung, and to the tune Rihava was performed Fatehnama Capchac, 
or the Triumph of Capchac. Twenty-six days were thus passed in 
pleasure by the whole army. 

Timur returned to Samarcand, where he was received with great 
feastings and joy. He then crossed the Sihon, and encamped at 

A.D. 1392. Tashkund, in the plain of Barsin ; where the army from Capchac ar- 
rived after a campaign of eleven months. This vast plain was cover- 
ed with the flocks and other prodigious booty. A share of the beautiful 
young prisoners of both sexes was given to the imperial family and 
the chief nobility. Mirza Pir Mehemet, son of Gehanghir, was ap- 
pointed governor of the country, from Gazna, and Cabul, and Candahar, 
to the Indies. 

A.D. 1393. The Emperor departed for along campaign. When he was at Joui- 
May 25. ^ ez ^ near j5 ocaraj } ie was muc h afflicted, having a disorder which he 
had concealed a long time. The Empresses, and his sons, and the 
best Turkish and Arabian physicians, arrived in the camp. The Al- 
coran was read. The finest horses in the Imperial stables were sa- 
crificed, and presents sent to the tombs of the great Chieks. God, the 
only true physician, restored the Emperor to health; and he took 
horse and shewed himself to his people on the 20th June. 

Timur, with a vast army, took Bagdat from the Mogul sovereign. 



* Serai. 



BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY.—HAPPY BIRTH. 

125 

The Emperor remained there two months. In this expedition Timur CHAP, 
rode twenty-seven leagues of three miles each, on the 10th October, k^^-^j 
without getting off his horse. The army suffered excessively from 
heat and thirst; all the wines in the city were seized, and cast into the 
Tigris. 

Timur proceeded to Georgia, where he was joined by the Imperial Sept. 9. 
family. On the 26th of Chawal the army arrived at Cars, in Georgia, 
where the Emperor encamped in a very agreeable plain with green 
meadows, springs, and rivulets of water as clear as crystal, shady 
groves, delicious fruit trees, variety of balsams and flowers, and 
zephyrs, so charming that they seemed to meet together to receive 
the greatest Emperor in the universe. Timur's troops had plundered 
all those of a different religion, who would not submit; his sole inten- 
tion in this war being God's glory, and every day some considerable 
blessing was showered on him. At this happy place was born a son 
to Shah Rohk, at which the court and army were transported with 
joy. The physiognomy of the infant prognosticated the height of 
grandeur to which he should in time arrive, as his horoscope signified 
that he should ascend the throne, and be the heir of his father's crown. 
Timur testified his joy by presents of gold, silver, and curious stuffs. 
All the lords of the court spread gold and precious stones upon, the 
child. Many great lords were elevated to considerable posts, and de- 
livered the poor from their miseries ; and the people were exempted 
from taxes for a whole year. The skilful astrologer, Moulla Abdallah 
Lessan predicted that the crown would for ever remain in the family 
of this infant, who would be endowed with many virtues : and, that he 
might have for his patron that prophet who was God's chief favorite, 
the Emperor ordered him to be called Ibrahim * Sultan. 



Abraham. 



GRAND ENCAMPMENT.— SPLENDID THRONE. 

126 

CHAP. Next day at sun-rise Timur decamped, and the tents were pitched 
^--v-^ in the plain of Minecgheul, where he received news of the great suc- 
cess of the emirs, who had taken many strong places from the Chris- 
tians, and were on their return. The Emperor gave orders for solemn 
rejoicings for the birth of his grandchild. They provided tents and 
canopies, which they adorned with the most magnificent furniture of 
all Asia. These tents took up two leagues of ground : that for the 
Emperor was under a canopy supported by forty pillars, and was as 
spacious as a palace; in the middle of it was a throne so ornamented 
with precious stones, that it resembled the sun. A great number of 
the most beautiful ladies of Asia were placed on each side of the 
throne, with veils of cloth of gold adorned with jewels. At length 
the Emperor ascended and seated himself, with the sceptre in his 
hand, and the crown upon his head *. The music was placed in two 
rows; the vocal on the right, the instrumental on the left. Nine 
chaoux, of handsome mien, well equipped, and mounted on Arabian 
horses, came there in quality of stewards of the feast; having dis- 
mounted, they took golden wands in their hands, and marched 
in procession before the dishes which were served up. They were 
followed by cup-bearers, who were provided with crystal bottles and 
golden cups with red wine of Shiraz, white of Mazanderan, and water 
as clear as that of Kiosser's f fountain. The conversation of charming 
women, whose hair hung in tresses down to the ground, added to the 



* " High on a throne of royal state, which far 
Outshone the wealth of Ormus and of Ind, 
Or where the gorgeous East with richest hand 
Show'rs on her kings barbaric pearl and gold, 
Satan exalted sat, by merit rais'd 

To that bad eminence." Paradise Lost, B, II. 

f A fountain in Mahomet's paradise. 



STREETS COVERED WITH SCARLET CLOTH AND SATIN. 127 

lustre of this illustrious assembly. The mirzas, emirs, nevians and fo- 
reign lords of Iran and Touran, from India unto Greece, partook of the 
diversions, and joined with the Zagataians, in vows for the prosperity 
of the Emperor and the new born prince. Then Timur chose the 
princess Touman Aga, who was as wise as Balkis*, and as illustrious 
as Cadafaf, to be governess to the young Mirza, for which honour 
she made a magnificent banquet, which lasted eight days. For his 
governor, Timur appointed the Emir Osman Abbas, whose wife, Sade- 
kin Aga, a relation of the Emperor, was selected to be his nurse. 

These entertainments, which had lasted three weeks, being over, 
Timur went and encamped upon the top of a mountain. The em- 
presses, princesses, and all the court ladies, departed for Sultania, where 
they were to stay. 

Shah Rohk being appointed governor of Samarcand, Timur arfec- Oct. 8, 
tionately embraced him at his departure. On his reaching the Ox- 
us, the inhabitants in great numbers met their illustrious viceroy ; and 
on his entry into Samarcand, from the gate Aferine to the royal palace, 
the streets were hung with carpets, and the ground was covered with 
satin, and scarlet cloth. The happy people thanked God for giving 
them a prince under whom the weak might live as securely as the 
powerful. 

Timur's zeal for religion made him undertake the war in Georgia 
himself. By the assistance of heaven, (says Sherefeddin), he vanquish- 
ed all the Christians who resisted, whether in the plains or in the 
strong castles upon the mountains, pillaging the country and putting 
to the sword all who resisted. Timur marched before Teflis and en- 
camped in the plain of Cheki, 



* Solomon's wife. 

t Queen of the Amazons: the Thalestris of Quintus Curtius. 



128 



RAMPARTS OF ICE.— SERAI BURNT. 



CHAP. News was brought to the Emperor of Toctamish having re-esta- 
blished himself in Capchac, and made irruptions into Timur's domin- 
A.D. 1395. * ons > to recover tne losses of his great defeat. Timur invades 



Mahmoudi, Timur's governor of Hadgi Tercan (Astrachan), proved 
faithless to his trust. Notwithstanding the severity of the winter this 
year, Timur marched to that place. Hadgi Tercan is defended in win- 
ter by a wall built of ice, upon which they pour water, which freezes, 
and the solid rampart is then as good as one of brick : there are gates 
constructed to enter the town. The governor was obliged to go out 
to meet the Emperor. Timur sent the governor to Serai, under the 
conduct of Mirza Pir Mehemet; where, according to orders received, 
he was thrust under the ice of the Volga. His Majesty ordered the 
inhabitants, the cattle, and all within Astrachan, to be expelled: when 
the town was razed. 

The troops of Capchac had ruined the palace of Sultan Cazan Khan, 
near Carchi, in Transoxiana; to revenge which, Timur proceeded to 
Serai, the capital of Capchac ; ordered out the inhabitants, and re- 
duced it to ashes. The severity of the winter produced famine in the 
camp, and most of the horses perished. All the countries to the west 
and north of the Caspian Sea, were brought under the dominion of 
Timur. 

The towns and provinces of Oukec, Madgiar, Little Russia, Cir- 
cassia, Bachgorod, Azac, Couban, and Alan (between Georgia and the 
Black Sea) had been sacked; and the princes had given assurance of 
future obedience. 

The Emperor now marched towards Uchendge, north-east of Tef- 



Russia*. 



* See note on Russia, Ch V. with a full description of a famous battle in which 
Timur was in the greatest danger of being killed or taken. 



TIMUR'S JUSTICE.— THE GOLDEN AGE. 



129 



lis, to attack the Christians there, and besieged it. Uchendge fell. — C HA P. 
The garrison was put to the sword, their bodies piled up, and the v^-v-"^ 
country ravaged. Timur pardoned those great men who had joined 
the Christians and now acknowledged their fault ; exhorting them to 
make war, and procure all the advantages which can be expected to 
the mussulman religion. 

Timur returned to Samarcand. The empresses showered upon his July 30. 
head gold and jewels, and presented him with a thousand horses, ca- 
parisoned with bridles and harness of gold and precious stones ; and 
also a thousand mules, all of one colour. The Emperor was received 
in triumph ; the city was adorned magnificently ; and the streets were 
covered with velvet, satin, silks, and carpets ; which the horses tram- 
pled upon as a road. The Emperor then visited the tombs of the 
saints, and of learned and illustrious persons ; he gave great largesses 
to the santons, who took care of them ; and alms to the poor. He 
distributed his booty. He sat in justice, and ordered some tyrants to 
be put in chains, and the forked branch to be hung round their necks. 
Some were put to death. All the people were pleased with their 
Emperor's equity; and stiled his reign — " The Golden Age." 

The magnificent palace of Baghi Chemal, or Garden of the North, A.D. 1397. 
was now built. Mirza Shah Rohk, Timurs eldest son, was appointed 
king of Khorassan. Ambassadors from China arrived with abun- 
dance of curious presents, and were introduced by the great emirs. — 
After delivering their credentials, and explaining the subject of their 
embassy, they returned home. 

Timur received information of the commotions in India; and that, 
since the death of Firoze III. the nobles had seized the power of that 
state ; and that, in the name of the young Mamood, two generals divid- 
ed the government, one at Delhi, and the other at Moultan. The Em- 



s 



ISO 



COMMOTIONS IN INDIA. 



CHAP, peror resolved on the conquest of Hindostan*, having already, in or- 
^-p-v-^ der to root out the infidels of China, collected the troops of the em- 
A.D. 1398. pire. The Emperor had, in his army, officers and soldiers of all na- 
tions; but the commands of the greatest consequence were held by 
Tartars. 

The army marched forward, and crossed the Oxus, to destroy the 
Guebres of India. The Alcoran says — " The highest dignity man 
can attain, is that of making war, in person, against the enemies of his 
religion." Though the true faith was written upon the coins of India, 
the greatest part of the inhabitants were idolaters. 

* " My design for reducing the empire of Hindostan was this: First, to disco- 
ver the thoughts of my sons and my ameers, I demanded counsel of them. The 
prince, Peer Mahummud Jehangheer said — ' Behold, with the gold of Hind, we 
shall become the conquerors of the world.' And prince Mahummud Sooltaun 
spoke and said — ' We may subdue Hind ; yet it hath many ramparts, rivers, wil- 
dernesses, and forests ; soldiers clad in armour ; and the elephants, destroyers of 
men.' The prince Shah Rohk said — 1 1 have read in the Toorki annals that there 
are five mighty kings, whom, because of their greatness, they mention not by their 
names. For behold they call the King of Hind, Daurau; and the King of Room, 
they call Keesur; and the King of Khuttun, and Cheen, and Maucheen, they 
stile Fughfoor ; and they call the King of Toorkistaun, Khaukaun ; and they call 
the Lord of Eraun and Tooraun, King of Kings. Andlo! the power of the King of 
Kings hath in all times been over the empire of Hindostan, and it hehoveth us, also, to 
conquer Hindostan. ' The ameers said — ' We may subdue Hind, but if we tarry 
in that land, our posterity will degenerate from the vigour of their forefathers. ' 
And I had resolved, and was loth to desist, and I answered them, saying, — ' I will 
turn to Almighty God, and I will seek the sign of war in the Koraun, that what- 
ever be the will of God, that I may do. ' And they all consented thereto. And 
when I sought an omen in the holy book, this sacred verse came forth, — 'O Pro- 
phet ! fight tvith the infidels and unbelievers.'' And when the doctors of the law 
explained the verse to the ameers, they hung down their heads and were silent. 
And my heart was grieved at their silence. And I deliberated with myself if I 
should throw them down from their commands. But, since I myself had exalted 
them, I treated them with kindness ; and although they had angered me, yet, as 
they were unanimous at last, I regarded it not." Timur's Institutes, p. 131. 



IMMENSE RICHES. — AN ARROW SHOT AT TIMUR. 

Timur and his troops suffered, in the mountains of Badachshan, from 
cold, rocky passes, and independent tribes, with whom there was 
much fighting. The Emperor was let down the side of a steep moun- 
tain on a platform, by ropes a hundred and fifty cubits long. Timur 
encamped near Cabul, and ordered a canal to be dug, five leagues in 
length. 

Two princes from Capchac, and one from Gete, arrived in the 
camp, to assure Timur that, for the future, he might depend on their 
obedience. 

Taizi Aglen, who had differences with the Khan of Olugyourt, fled 
from the kingdom of Calmac, to lay himself at the Emperor's feet.— 
Timur embraced him, and presented him with a vest woven with gold, 
a belt with precious stones, camels, pavilions, &c. 

Cheik Noureddin also arrived, who had been left by Timur in Per- 
sia, to receive the revenues. He brought an immense treasure in 
jewels, gold coin, gold stuffs, belts of precious stones, Arabian horses 
with golden saddles, camels, mules, pavilions, curtains of scarlet, leo- 
pards, birds of prey, and other animals for the chace. So great a 
quantity was there, that the comptrollers of the divan were three days 
and nights employed in registering the whole of it. Several princes 
of the race of Genghis were astonished at the sight of such wealth. 

The ambassadors were now dismissed with rich presents. The 
left wing was sent forward to India. The Emperor marched and en- 
camped at Irjab*. 

Timur being on horseback, accompanied by his generals on foot, 
while he was viewing the place, was shot at with an arrow from a win- 

* " And behold the whole of my army was ninety-two thousand horsemen, ac- 
cording to the number of the names of Mahummud, the prophet of God ; and I 
took this number as a fortunate and happy omen." Timur's Inst. p. 135. 

S2 



132 TIMUR CROSSES THE INDUS. 

CHAP, dow, which missed him: but the whizzing of the arrow startled his 
v-*»--v~^ horse. The assassins were taken and put to death. The prince of 
the town, who had been a great tyrant, was beheaded, and his goods 
and moveables were given to the poor. 
Oct. 7. His Majesty arrived at the Indus, at the spot whence Gelaleddin 
had fled from the wrath of Genghis Khan*. A bridge of boats and 
reeds was finished in two days. Timur dismissed the ambassadors of 
Mecca, Medina, and the cheriffs of Arabia. Eskender Shah, prince 
of Cashmere, sent to beseech his majesty to receive him on his obedi- 
ence. Timur desired that he would come to his camp, when at Di- 
balpour. 

Oct. 11. The Emperor crossed the Indus and encamped at the entrance of 
the desert Gerou, called Tchol Gelali (from Gelaleddin). The rajas 
and others offered their submission with promises of money. As they 
had been very serviceable to the detachment at Moultan, they were 
treated with kindness. An isle in the river Jamad was attacked; a 
toman conquered it, after hard fighting. 

The army marched to where the Jamad and Genave join in one 
stream, all the troops were employed in making a bridge over it, which 
was never done before. The army crossed and encamped thirty-five 

Oct. 29. miles from Moultanf. Camp at Toulonba: The inhabitants (the che- 
riffs excepted) taxed at two millions of crowns. Part is paid ; the na- 
tives revolt ; two thousand are slain. 

Nov. 5. Camp at Chanavaz, near a lake. 

The Mirza at Moultan had lost nearly all his horse by the inunda- 
tions and a famine. Succours are sent to him by Timur. Bend and 
Batnir taken, and the inhabitants slain. 



* Attock. 

f Major Rennel has accurately traced Timur's march (Memoir, p. 84). The 
above is Sherefeddin's description. 



DREADFUL MASSACRE. 133 

The army arrived at Paniput. The inhabitants fled. There was 

found here one hundred and sixty thousand maunds, common weight, k-*-v-«w> 

Nov. 21. 

of wheat. The army arrived near to Delhi. While Timur was sur- -^ ov ] %g] 
veying the magnificent palace of Gehannumai, he discovered nine 
thousand of the enemy and twenty-seven elephants. They were at- 
tacked, and fled; one elephant fell. 

The army encamped, and was harangued by the Emperor. Some 
generals represented, that a hundred thousand prisoners, idolaters, 
were in the camp; who, in case of a battle, might join the enemy; 
they having been greatly pleased when they saw the troops with the 
twenty-seven elephants approach. Timur reflected seriously on this ; 
and ordered that all those who had made slaves, should put them to 
death; or, who disobeyed, should himself suffer death, and his family 
be given to the informer. In one terrible hour, according to the 
smallest computation, a hundred thousand Indians were massacred. — 
Even the venerable and humane Moulava Nassereddin Amor, was 
constrained to order fifteen slaves to be slain. 

A tenth part of the army guarded the women, children, and camels. 
Timur crossed the river, encamped the army, and surrounded it with 
a rampart of bucklers and a ditch. Great buffaloes were tied together 
by the neck and feet, with brambles upon their heads, to be set fire to 
on occasion should the elephants approach ; but this was not needed. 
Timur drew up his army in order of battle. He commanded the main Jan. 3. 
body : they marched. The enemy advanced in order, the centre was 
commanded by Mahmoud, grandson of the late Emperor Ferose, and 
his lieutenant-general, Mellou Khan. His force consisted of ten 
thousand horse, forty thousand foot, and elephants armed with cuiras- 
ses and poisoned daggers upon their tusks. They had wooden tow- 
ers upon their backs, in the form of bastions, in which were cross-bow- 
men and archers, who could fight under cover. On the side of the 



134 DEFEAT AND FLIGHT OE THE EMPEROR MAHMOUD. 

CHAP, elephants were flingers of fire and melted pitch; and rockets shod 
y^y «» .1 with iron, which give repeated blows where they fall. The soldiers 
feared the elephants might fling them into the air. The learned doc- 
tors wished to be placed near where the ladies were, if his Majesty 
pleased. 

Timur fell upon the earth and besought God to give him the victo- 
ry. The battle began with the frightful noise of brass kettle-drums 
upon the elephants' backs, loud cymbals and bells, trumpets, and cries 
of the soldiers ; so that even the most dauntless were somewhat dis- 
mayed. The enemy's left wing was thrown into disorder by their ele- 
phants. Their right wing was repulsed. The centre attacked Timur, 
and was so warmly received, that many elephants' trunks were cut off 
with sabres, and were strewed over the field with the slain. Mah- 
moud and Mellou Khan fled into Delhi and shut the gates. Calil Sul- 
tan, Timur's grandson, only fifteen years of age, wounded an elephant, 
the men on his back were overthrown, and the youth drove the animal 
before him into the camp : at sight of which Timur was affected to 
tears, for joy that God had given him such brave children, and such 
valiant subjects. Sultan Mahmoud and Mellou Khan departed from 
the city at midnight and fled; the first to Guzzerat, the other to 
Berren. 

Jan. 4th. Timur planted his standard upon the walls of Delhi. At the gate, 
he sat on the throne of the Indian Monarch, gave audience, and re- 
ceived the submission of the principal persons. A hundred and 
twenty elephants, and twelve rhinoceroses were brought before Ti- 
mur ; and having been trained for such purposes, they placed them- 
selves in a humble posture, and made a cry as if demanding quarter. 
These were war or chain elephants, and were sent to Samarcand, and 
some to the provinces, as presents ; two to Tauris, five to Herat, one 
to Shiraz, one to Shirvan, and one to Arzendgian. 



SACK OF DELHI. — MASSACRE.— DESOLATION. 



135 



The prayers in the mosques were ordered to be said in the name of 



CHAP. 
IV. 



Timur, and the rigours of war were for some days forgotten in feast- 
ings, music, and rejoicings, during which Timur's soldiers insulted the 
inhabitants in the suburbs. 

The sultanesses entered Delhi to inspect the curiosities, and the 
famous palace of the ancient Indian king Melee Jound ; the court at- 
tending them was numerous, and about fifteen thousand soldiers enter- 
ed unperceived. The disorders committed were great ; and the natives, 
driven to despair, set fire to their houses and burnt their families in 
the conflagration. The soldiers let in the army, and the emirs lost all 
control over their fury ; so that this great and proud city was sacked 
and desolated by a horrid massacre. 

The next day, some of the soldiers took each one hundred and fifty j an> 13, 
slaves, men, women, and children : and carried them out of the city. 
Even the soldiers' boys had twenty slaves to their share. Pearls, 
diamonds, rubies, stuffs, belts, gold and silver vessels, money and 
curiosities were seized by the soldiers in vast quantities. 

Old Delhi underwent the same fate. The Indians assembled in a Jan. 15. 
great mosque to defend themselves : but the Emir Shamelik and Ali 
Sultan Tavachi, forced it open with five hundred soldiers, and sent to 
the abyss of hell the souls of these infidels, erected a pile with their 
heads, and cast their bodies to the beasts and birds of prey *, such 
terrible slaughter and desolation were never heard of. Every emir 
took a number of slaves for his service: and several thousand trades- 
men and artists were distributed among the princes. Others were 
sent to the nobility of the respective provinces. The Emperor re- 

* These massacres are considered by fanatics as a virtue. Timur's descend- 
ants, however, attempt some explanation, to exculpate him. See Dow's Hindos- 
tan, Vol. II. p. 9. 



136 



TWENTY BATTLES TIMUR IS MUCH OPPRESSED. 



CHAP, served for himself all the masons, to build a spacious stone mosque 
at Samarcand. 



Jan. 18. Timur having been fifteen days at Delhi, at ten in the morning 
marched to Firouse-Abad, three miles. He admired that delightful 
place, and visited the mosque, to return thanks to God for his con- 
quest. 

Two white parrots, which had many years been kept in the anti- 
chambers of the Indian Emperors, were presented to Timur, which he 
received, and considered as a good augury. 



There was much opposition made to Timur, in several places. He 
became oppressed with illness and want of rest : twenty battles were 
fought in thirty days. 

Ambassadors arrived from the king of Cashmere. The divan had 
taxed that king thirty thousand horses, and one hundred thousand 
dirests of gold ; but Timur found this demand too much for that little 
kingdom, and did not press it to such extent, being satisfied with the 
conduct of Chah Eskender. Timur sent him a present of ten ele- 
phants *. 



March 15. The king of Tchamou was taken prisoner. He was treated with 
respect, and instructed in the beauties of the Mahomedan religion; 
he therefore quitted his errors, declared his belief in the unity of God, 
and ate the flesh of oxen with the mussulmans. 

March 19. Lahore was taken, and taxed for the redeeming of the lives of the 
inhabitants. Chicai Couker was taken prisoner. This prince had 
accompanied Timur, but on his return to Lahore was wanting in the 
performance of his promises and the respect he had professed ; on 
which, his country was pillaged and his person seized f . Timur be- 



* Ayeen Akbery, Vol. II. p. 152. 

f Dow, Vol. II. p. 11, says, he was beheaded; which is exceedingly probable. 



THE LORDS OF HINDOSTAN RESTORED TO POWER. 



137 



ing an enemy to deception, had adopted this motto for his seal: CHAP. 
<l Safety consists in fair dealing." ^-v-*^ 

Officers arrived from Tauris, with an account of the affairs of Bagdat, March 20. 
Egypt, Syria, Anatolia, and Capchac. The generals arrived in camp 
from Lahore, and laid at Timur's feet many rich presents ; of each kind 
by the number of nine, as is customary. Timur now made arrange- 
ments for returning to Samarcand. He distributed presents to the 
emirs, and to the lords of Hindostan, whom he sent to their respec- 
tive countries, with his letters patent for their principalities. 

The camp being at Gibhan on the frontier of Cashmir, Timur or- March 24. 
dered a general hunting circle, and enjoyed that sport in this delightful 
place. There were lions, leopards, rhinoceroses, unicorns, \A\xe stags, wild 
peacocks, parrots, and other animals. The falcons and hawks destroy- 
ed all the peacocks, pheasants, parrots, and ducks. The soldiers took 
a great deal of game, and slew several rhinoceroses with their sabres 
and lances *. The oranges and citrons do not come to maturity, on 
account of the snow. The air and water are delicious; the women 
very beautiful. The prince and court reside at Nagaz, in which there 
are seven bridges of boats over the river, which is as large as the 
Tigris. God has given this country natural defences : the roads unto 
it from Chorassan and from India being excessively difficult; and 
that from Thibet having so many poisonous herbs, that the horses 
who eat of them die, the inhabitants have no occasion for arms or 
armies. 

Timur crossed the Indus, and encamped at Banou. His majesty March 29. 
was struck by some evil eye: upon his feet and hands were pain- 
ful ulcers. The officers of his household carried him, in a litter, April 8. 

* The blue stags were Nyl-gaus : respecting the unicorns, see Chap. XI. the 
last note. 



138 SHOWERS OF PRECIOUS STONES. — GRAND MOSQUE. 

through a narrow defile, in which they were obliged to cross a river 
forty-eight times. 

The empresses, princes, and great lords met the Emperor at Ter- 
med, and he arrived at Samarcand on the 16th of May. 
May 16. The feastings and mutual presents were immense, and the em- 
presses, princes of the blood, dukes, and foreign princes, showered so 
many precious stones upon his majesty, that it seemed as if the sands 
had been transformed into them. 
May 28. Timur, to crown his merits with a work of piety, having destroyed 
the temples of false Gods and exterminated the idolaters, resolved to 
build a great mosque. Two hundred masons from Azerbijan, Persia, 
and India, were occupied in the inside, and five hundred men in cut- 
ting stone in the mountains. Ninety-five elephants were employed 
in drawing the stones upon machines made according to the laws of 
mechanics. The mosque being finished, contained four hundred and 
eighty pillars of hewn stone, seven cubits high ; the arched roof was of 
marble, neatly carved and polished. From the architrave of the entab- 
lature to the top of the roof was nine cubits ; at each corner outside 
was a minaret ; the doors were of brass ; and the walls without and 
within, and the arches of the roof, were adorned, in relievo, with the 
chapter of the Cavern and other passages of the Alcoran. The pul- 
pit and reading desk, where prayers for the Emperor were read, were 
of the utmost magnificence ; and the nich of the altar was covered 
with plates of iron gilt, and was of perfect beauty. Not one moment 
had been lost in finishing this stupendous^building f. 



f " Anon, out of the earth a fabric huge 
Rose like an exhalation, * * * 
Built like a temple, where pilasters round 
Were set ; * * * * 
* * * nor did there want 



FOUR MONARCHS DIE. — BEAUTIFUL MOGUL WOMEN. 139 

Some months after Timur returned to Samareand, he received CI *y P ' 
accounts of the debaucheries, extravagance, and lunatic conduct of his v^-v-^ 
son Mirza Miram Chah, viceroy of Media: on which he found it neces- AD * 
sary to take the field again. He issued orders that all the prince's 
profligate favorites, who had instigated him to his evil conduct, should Oct. 1 1 . 
be hanged, without exception, as a warning to others. 

When the encampment was at Carubagh, news arrived of the death 
of the Khan of Capchac, of the death of the Sultan of Egypt, and of 
a civil war in that country; of the decease of the Emperor of China, 
and of great confusion in that empire; and that the king of Gete had 
also paid tribute to the angel Israel, which had caused dissension 
amongst his four sons. 

Intelligence was received of Mirza Eskender, aged only fifteen 
years, having marched with his emirs and his army from Andecan; 
and that he had utterly defeated the Moguls in Mogulistan. The 
prince had been joined by the emirs at Cashgar ; they advanced and 
ravaged Yarkand, Tchartac, Keiouc Bagh, and the province of Aoudge; 
they took the citadel of Ascou, consisting of three strong castles, 
which required sapping, battering rams, and many assaults with 
scaling ladders. They released some Chinese merchants, who had 
been shut up there. They suddenly invaded Bei and Cousan, and 
brought away captive the princess, wife of Emir Kezre Chah, her 
daughter, and other ladies ; and pillaged the town of Tarem. They 



Cornice or frieze, with bossy sculptures graven ; 

* * * and straight the doors 

Opening their brazen folds. " Par. Lost, B. I. 1. 710. 

There are two cubits, one is called large measure, in the architecture of Baila- 
can (a few pages forward). In Chap. I. the Sultan of Carisme exclaims, that 
of his immense kingdom, he has but tivo cubits left for his body. The writer has 
not been able to find out the length of the large cubit. 

T2 



140 



DREADFUL FANATICISM. 



CHAP, proceeded to Choten and the mountain Carangoutac; from hence 
**>~l^-**j were sent two companies, of nine each, of the most beautiful Mogul 

young women to the Emperor, by Chiek Yasaoul ; when the army 

returned to Cashgar. 



The Emperor advanced towards Georgia, to make a holy war, in obe- 
dience to the Alcoran, on all who disbelieved the mussulman religion *. 
Through the defile of Comcha, which was full of trees, the soldiers, 
with their saws and axes, cleared a road ten days' journey in length, 
and broad enough for five companies to march abreast. It snowed 
for twenty days, but the fields became as red with the blood of the infi- 
dels as if sown with tulips ; no quarter being given to any who were 
found. Comcha, the chief of those who disbelieve in future judgment, 
abandoned his effects and fled. 

Wine was absolutely necessary for this people ; even the little chil- 
dren drank it ; and on their death-beds they entreated that some might 
be buried in their tombs with them, and their coffins be made of the 
vine tree. For this consideration, the troops rooted up and destroyed 
the vines, and razed their temples, which were so disagreeable to God. 
This being what Timur had done last year at Delhi, he had, as the 
poet says, one foot on the frontiers of India, and the other on the west- 
ern limit of Arranf . 

The cold and snow being great, and the horses reduced to feed on 

* " And I determined on that measure, which was agreeable to my soldiers. 
And I placed a helmet of steel upon my head, and I clothed myself in the 
armour of Dauood (David), and I hung a scimitar of Missur (Egypt) by my side, 
and I sat on the throne of war." Timur's Institutes, p. 143. Ipocrates, the Christ- 
ian king of Teflis, Timur's prisoner, had turned mussulman, and had given Timur 
a suit of armour, which he pretended the king of Israel had forged with his own 
hands in a smith's shop. 

t To the warlike resemblance to Genghis Khan, Timur added the horrid 
fanaticism of Saint Dominic and Philip the Second. 



TIMUR'S LETTER TO BAJAZET.— 12,000 DOG KEEPERS. Ml 

the bark of trees, and many of them dying, Timur recrossed the Cyrus, CHAP. 

IV. 

and returned with glory to Carabagh. ^r-j^f 

A divan was held, and, after a formal enquiry, Hadgi Abdalla Ab- 
bas, and Mehemed Casgan, were bastinadoed, and several officers fined 
fifty, and some three hundred, horses, for their misconduct in the 
field. Prince Burhan Aglen was put to death for the same reason. 
Favours were distributed to Mirza Aboubeker. 

Timur, considering that the interests of religion and his own poli- A.D. 1400. 
cy would best be served by again attacking Georgia, resolved, with 
his council, on that measure. That country was again invaded, ra- 
vaged, and plundered : no mercy being shown. 

His Majesty being irritated by the bad conduct of the Ottoman 
Emperor and the sultan of Egypt, notwithstanding the fatigues of 
the campaign just ended, determined, by the grace of God, to sub- 
due them. 

Bajazet, surnamed Ildurum, or the Thunderer, was Emperor of the 
Ottomans, and had subjected great part of Roum (Anatolia), and ex- 
tended his dominions far into Europe, as well as towards Aleppo. He 
was so magnificent, that in his household he had twelve thousand dog 
keepers. This prince had the boldness to send an ambassador to Ta- 
harten, to summon him to court, and to send the tribute of Erzerom 
and other countries. Bajazet was not ignorant that Taharten was un- 
der Timur's protection. Whereupon Timur resolved to endeavour to 
bring him to a sense of his fault by friendship and mildness mixt with 
reproaches. He therefore ordered his secretary to write a letter to 
Bajazet. 

" God, says the Alcoran, blesses those princes, who know what use 
they should make of their power, and go not beyond the bounds pre- 
scribed them. We let you know, that the greatest part of Asia is un- 



142 TIMUR INVADES ASIA MINOR. 

CHAP, der our officers, and that our guard consists of sovereign kings, 
v^^py^z Where is the potentate that does not glory in being of the number of 
our courtiers? but for thee, whose true origin terminates in a Turco- 
man sailor* it would be well, since the ship of thy unfathomable am- 
bition has suffered wreck in the abyss of self-love; if thou wouldest 
lower the sails of thy rashness, and cast the anchor of repentance in 
the port of sincerity; lest, by the tempest of our vengeance, you should 
perish in the sea of punishment. Since you have undertaken a vigo- 
rous war with Europeans, the enemies of the Mussulman law, we con- 
sider you favourably: leave your proud extravagances, and know, that 
no one ever dared make war with us, and prospered. The devil cer- 
tainly inspires you to ruin yourself. Believe me, you are but a pis- 
mire, don't seek to fight elephants. The dove which rises against the 
eagle, destroys itself. But your rodomontades are not extraordinary; 
for a Turcoman never yet spake with judgment. If you don't follow 
our counsels, you will repent it." 

Bajazet, on reading the letter, sent this answer : " It is a long time 
since we have been desirous of a war with you. If you don't advance, 
we will seek you ; and we shall see in whose favour heaven will de- 
clare." On receiving this reply, Timur caused the imperial standard 
to be displayed, and marched for Anatolia. 
Sept. 1 . The Emperor encamped near Sebaste : he saw from an eminence, 
the place full of men singing and playing on musical instruments. 
Bajazet's van-guard appeared, retreated, and was pursued and cut to 
pieces, near Caesarea. Sebaste was fortified with high thick stone walls, 

* Bajazet was descended from Othman, the founder of the Turkish Empire, 
A. D. 1299. Othman was the son of an Oguzian or Turcoman chieftain, who had 
entered into the service of Aladin, sultan of Iconium, and had established him- 
self with his tribe at the maritime town of Sivegut, on the river Sangar (the Iris), 
which runs into the Euxine sea. (See Gibbon, Ch. LXV. note 29.) 



QUARREL WITH THE SULTAN OF EGYPT. 143 

and a ditch full of water. In eighteen days, by the vigorous applica- C *JAP, 
tion of battering rams, and machines to cast fire and hurl stones, the 
inhabitants, in terror, supplicated for pardon. Timur's heart was soft- 
ened by the cries of the women and children. He granted quarter to 
the Mussulmans, on their paying ransom; and made slaves of the Ar- 
menians and other Christians. Many places were reduced, but Bajazet 
avoided a battle . 

Farrudge, son of the late Barcoc, king of Egypt and Syria, having 
added to his father's crimes against Timur, by arresting his ambassa- 
dor, the Emperor resolved forthwith to chastise him. Timur's gene- 
rals represented, on their knees, the peril of such an attempt by troops 
fatigued with campaigns against a difficult country, strong fortresses, 
and a numerous and well-appointed army. Timur promised them suc- 
cess, if they would put their trust in God; his resolution was not to 
be shaken f; and all obeyed him with zeal. " As for the pride and 
blindness of the Syrians and Egyptians, Mahomet has told us, (said 
he), that when God resolves to destroy any one, he deprives him of com- 
mon sense" 

The army encamped at Behesna, between Malatia and Aleppo. 
Behesna and Antapa, two very strong places, were both taken. The 
governors and people were spared, at the intercession of Timur's son, 
Shah Rohk. They delivered great presents to the Emperor, in whose 
name prayers were read- The camp was pitched near Aleppo. Nov. 8. 

The Egyptian sultan's army was collected from Tripoli, Balbec, Ca- 
naan, Rama, J erusalem, and many other places ; it was very numerous 
and well appointed. 

Timourtach, the governor of Aleppo, represented the great power 

f I should ill become this throne, * * 

And this imperial sov'reignty, * * 
* * * * ifaught * * 

Of difficulty or danger could deter me. Par. Lost, B. II. 1. 445. 



144 EGYPTIANS DEFEATED AT ALEPPO—FURIOUS ELEPHANTS. 

CHAP, and uniform conquests of Timur; and was for treating*: but the go- 
\^»^m^ vernor of Damascus taxed him with cowardice, and enumerated the 
stone fortresses of Syria, the goodness of their Damascus bows, Egyp- 
tian swords, and Arabian lances. Opposition was resolved on. 

Timur advanced towards Aleppo, half a league a-day, entrenching 
his army every evening, and making a rampart of the bucklers. The 
Syrians, concluding that the Tartars mistrusted their strength, prepared 
to give battle. The main body of Timur's army was commanded by 
himself, with a rank of elephants in front, equipped magnificently, to 
serve as a rampart : their towers were filled with archers and flingers 
of wild-fire. These animals coiled up their trunks like serpents. 

The right wing was commanded by the mirzas, Miran Chah 
and Shah Rohk ; the left by Sultan Mahmoud, accompanied by the 
great emirs. Every one had on his coat of mail, a cuirass, and a 
helmet. 

The Syrian army was composed of a right and left wing, and a main 
body. 

The Tartars advanced with their ensigns displayed: the kettle 
drums and trumpets sounded, and both sides shouted, Alia Ak- 
bar! 

The two wings of the Syrians were overpowered, and the ground was 
strewed with carcasses, helmets, and sabres. The elephants rushed 
upon the main body of the Syrian army, and, with their trunks, tossed 
many into the air, and trampled others under their feet, no one being 
able to stop them. 

The two governors, seeing such dreadful slaughter in so short a 
time, fled; the soldiers dispersed themselves. The major part took 
the road to Damascus, and were pursued so closely, that only one 

* According to the computation of the Empei'or's comptroller, his army con- 
sisted of eight hundred thousand men. Sherefeddin, II. p. 165, note 4. 



13ALBEC TAKEN.— NOAH'S TOMB. 

horseman of that great number reached the city. The others fleeing 
to Aleppo, were pursued and slaughtered in such heaps, that they 
were piled up to the plinth of the walls ; three or four of the crowd 
being run through at a time by a single pike. 

The camp and city were pillaged : the booty was prodigious. The 
women, children, cattle, gold, jewels, &c. were seized and kept by the 
soldiers. 

The strong citadel was terrified into surrender. The governors 
were put in irons, and a message sent to the son of Barcoc, at Cairo, 
to release Timur's ambassador. Immense treasures were lodged in the 
citadel, and eight emirs were left to guard it. 

* # * * 

Some castles were taken, and Timur advanced to Hama. The in- 
habitants gave up their treasures, and were protected. Balbec was 
reduced without trouble, and vast quantities of fruits, pulse, and all 
manner of necessaries were found in it. 

Balbec, being in the vicinity of a mountain, the weather was now A.D. 1401. 
very cold, and much snow fell. The Emperor therefore departed, ^ an - 3 * 
and, after a few days' march, he went to the tomb of the prophet 
Noah, to beseech his blessing ; and then set out for the conquest of 
Damascus. 

The main body of the army had been sent to ravage the maritime 
towns of Syria; and now joined the camp, laden with booty. 

Syria now belonging to Egypt, the governors had made urgent re- 
presentations to Farrudge, their king, to come and oppose Timur. — 
He marched to Damascus, and it was immediately prepared for de- 
fence. His cavalry was the best in the world. Using policy as well 
as strength, he sent, as ambassador to Timur, an eloquent and perfect 

u 



145 



Nov. 11. 



DESIGN TO MURDER TIMUR.— HIS LETTER ON THE OCCASION. 

villain, in a humble religious habit ; accompanied by two young assas- 
sins with poisoned daggers, to murder the Emperor during the audi- 
ence. 

On Timur's approach towards Damascus, these wretches joined his 
court, and had several complimentary interviews, at the foot of the 
throne ; which presented favourable opportunities : but the Almighty, 
who was always Timur's protector, would not suffer the execution of 
their designs. Coja Masaoud Semnani, one of the great secretaries 
of the council, conceived some suspicions, from the manner of pro- 
ceeding of these persons : and communicated them to some one, who 
related them to the Emperor. 

Timur ordered the Egyptians to be searched, and poisoned daggers 
were found in their boots. The Emperor returned thanks to his So- 
vereign Protector. It is not, said he, the maxim of kings to murder 
ambassadors; yet it would be a crime to suffer this rascal or his com- 
rades to live ; who, though clothed in a religious habit, is a monster of 
perfidy. He thereupon ordered the ambassador to be killed with the 
poisoned daggers ; and the noses and ears of the two assassins to be 
cut off, meaning to send them back with a letter to the Sultan of 
Egypt. 

Timur encamped near Damascus, at the foot of a hill, with a trench 
and palisadoes round his army. He ordered the prisoners brought 
from Aleppo to be put to death, in revenge for the king's scandalous 
action. Two days after, his Majesty sent Padshah Baouram, as am- 
bassador to the sultan, with this letter : — 

" All this great noise of the world is not so much to heap up riches, 
as to acquire honour; for half a loaf a-day is sufficient for the nourish- 
ment of a man. Whenever I have demanded Atilmich, my ambassa- 
dor, from you, you have always started difficulties. We therefore 
make war on you. If rocks could speak, they would tell you, that this 



IMMENSE ARMY. — DEFEAT OF THE SYRIANS. 147 

action of your's portends no good to you ; yet, if you will cause the CHAP, 
money to be coined, and the public prayers to be read in our name, v«*p-v-^ 
this shall stop our fury. Our soldiers are like roaring lions, which 
want their prey. I set before you peace and joy, or war and desola- 
tion. Make your choice with prudence. Farewell." 

Timur's ambassador was received with great honour. Several 
Egyptian lords were sent to the camp, to ask the Emperor's pardon : 
they promised that, in five days, Atilmich should be sent to his au- 
gust presence. They returned to Damascus with presents of vests; 
and this friendly appearance gave joy to the inhabitants. 

After ten days' encampment, Timur wished to remove to Goula, Jan. 19. 
that his horses might feed in those delicious pastures. The Syrians 
mistaking his decampment for weakness, their whole army and multi- 
tudes of people came out to attack him. Timur faced about, and en- 
trenched his camp behind the baggage and some great stones. An 
action ensued, and the vast plain was deluged with the blood of the 
Syrians, who were defeated and slain in immense numbers. 

Mirza Sultan Hussein, the Emperor's grandson, after a debauch, was 
excited by some seditious Persians, a few evenings before, to revolt and 
join the Syrians in Damascus. He commanded the left wing of the 
Syrians in this action, and fought against the Mirzas, Miran Shah and 
Shah Rohk. He was taken prisoner. Timur ordered him to be 
loaded with chains*. At the intercession of Shah Rohk, he was li- 
berated, but not till he had been bastinadoed, as ordered by the law 
of Yasac. He was never afterwards admitted into the Emperor's 
hall. 

Timur ordered the army to march, in order of battle, towards Da- 

* " And with respect to my family, I rent not asunder the bonds of consangui- 
nity and mercy ; and I issued not commands to slay them, or to bind them with 
chains." Timur's Inst. p. 173. 

U2 . " v 



MAGNIFICENT ARMY.— THE KING OF EGYPT FLEES. 

mascus. The front of the army, from the extremity of one wing to 
that of the other, was between three and four leagues. The elephants 
in a great rank marched in front. The approach to the city was ris- 
ing ground ; and Timur meant to dishearten the Syrians by this mag- 
nificent display ; as they had but an imperfect knowledge of the mul* 
titude of his army. 

The king of Egypt, at sight of this immense force, held a council. 
Some were for defending the city: but it was decided that the king 
and principal persons should escape at night, and flee to Egypt. A 
letter was therefore sent to the Emperor, to beg one day, and they 
would obey his orders : the king disclaimed the battle that had taken 
place, as not ordered by him. On this Timur encamped. 

At night, the sultan and principal lords left Damascus, and took the 
road to Cairo. A Tartar deserter, named Thacmac, went to Sultan 
Shah Rohk, and informed him thereof. Some of the king's party were 
overtaken, and several slain ; and the baggage which they had aban- 
doned, was captured. 

Timur now quartered his army in the suburbs of Damascus. He 
visited the tombs of Oumme Selma and Habiba, wives of Mahomet, 
and that of Belalhabachi, whose intercession he implored. 

The inhabitants of the city were seized with fear, and all the che- 
rifs, the cadis, emams, and lawyers, went out, and threw themselves at 
the foot of the throne, with entire submission and large presents — 
They implored the Emperor's pity on the mussulmans. The ransom 
was agreed on, and seven gates of the city were walled up, leaving one 
open for Timur's office, to which payment was brought. The chief of 
the deputation was Cadi Veliddin, whose discourse pleased Timur; and 
the party was invited to dine at his table. The cadi 'conversed with the 
Emperor about Africa, in which country he had travelled; for Ti- 
mur was well versed in the history of states and princes, both of the 
east and the west. 



DAMASCUS SUBMITS. — GREAT TREASURES. 



149 



Prayers were read in the famous mosque of the Ommiades califs, in CHAP, 
the name and titles of the august Emperor. 

Some of the soldiers having used violence after the publication of 
quarter, Timur caused them to be crucified. 

The governor of the castle confiding in its immense strength, held out, 
and was besieged in form by a very great force. Three platforms were 
built, high enough to command it ; from which fire-pots, arrows, and 
great stones were thrown in as thick as hail. The walls were shaken 
by battering rams ; the large pieces of rock, in the walls, were heated, 
and shattered by vinegar being cast on them, and then broken by ham- 
mers. The walls were sapped, and one of the vast towers fell. The 
soldiers rushed to the breach, and eighty Persians being crushed under 
the falling ruins, the troops halted. The breach was quickly filled up 
by the Syrians. The wooden props which supported part of the for- 
tifications being set on fire, the governor, hopeless of a successful de- 
fence, came out, and delivered the keys of the fortress and the treasury 
to Timur, who ordered him to be put to death, for not surrendering 
earlier. 

The treasure was very great. There was a granary of corn, being 
the revenues of Mecca and Medina ; the amount for which it was sold 
was considerable, in consequence of a scarcity. Timur ordered the 
whole sum to be distributed among the officers of those renowned ci- 
ties, for he was sincere in his religion : and then, with very civil treat- 
ment, sent them back to Jerusalem. 

The garrison of Damascus was composed of Circassians, mamalucs 
Ethiopian slaves, and Zanguebars ; the women, children, and old men, 
were all made slaves. 

The Syrian money being of a base alloy, Timur ordered a recoinage 
in his own name ; the gold and silver to be refined. There was so 
much money among the soldiers, that the revenue to the divan on this 



150 DAMASCUS BURNT — MOSQUE OF OMMIADES.— MESSIAH. 

C *Jy P * recoinage was six hundred thousand dinars copeghi (about one hun- 
<**~y~*+s dred and sixty-eight thousand pounds sterling). 

Timur ordered the coast of the Mediterranean to be ravaged, which 
was done ; and the emirs then returned, with great booty, to Canaan. 

The Emperor was severely attacked with an imposthume upon his 
back, but soon recovered. 

The soldiers were now so overloaded with booty, that they actually 
threw away gold and silver stuffs and other valuable things, not being 
able to carry them. " Several creditable persons, eye-witnesses, relat- 
ed this to me*." 

Damascus was accidentally burnt, being built of inflammable mate- 
rials. " Timur, whose regard for religion was unparalleled, sent to save 
the mosque of Ommiades ; but, by God's wrath against these people, 
the stone minaret was burnt; whereas the wooden minaret Arous, or 
Mounar Beiza, remained safe, which was miraculous. Upon this, the 
mussulmans believe that the Lord Messiah Jesus, on whom, as on our 
prophet, may blessings be showered, will descend from heaven, when 
he shall come to judge both the living and the deadf ." 

Timur having made the Syrians feel his wrath, now gave them 
marks of his clemency ; he ordered all the slaves taken in Syria and 
Damascus, men, women, and children, to be set at liberty. 

Tadmor, built by the prophet Solomon, was plundered, and two 
hundred thousand sheep taken. Some Turcomans near the Euphrates 
were defeated, and their horses, sheep, and camels taken. The sol- 
diers now possessed eight hundred thousand sheep. 
A.D. 1401. Bagdat was again taken and plundered. Ninety thousand inhabit- 
July 23. ants were s j a i n ^ anc i one hundred and twenty pyramids were made of 
their heads. 



Sherefeddin. 



f Sherefeddin, Vol.11, p. 200. 



TADMOR— 800,000 SHEEP. — 120 PYRAMIDS OF HEADS AT BAGDAT. 

Timur, on arriving at the river Jagatou, was joined by the Empress 
Serai Mule Canum, the mirzas and their wives and children, the doc- 
tors and principal lords of the empire of Iran. His Majesty, who was 
extremely desirous of being enlightened on questions of religion, invi- 
ted some of the learned to dispute on some points, in order to clear up 
the truth. 

The Emperor, being at Tauris, received a repentant letter from 
Bajazet, and granted him his pardon. A great hunting circle was 
now made and an immensity of game killed. 

Timur received news of the death of his general, Emir Hadgi Sei- 
feddin; he was sensibly touched, even to tears, at the loss of this faith- 
ful servant. 

Bajazet having given protection to a powerful robber, who plunder- 
ed the caravans of Mecca, Timur had a correspondence with him to 
remonstrate. 

The castle of Kemac, on the Euphrates, was taken. For nearly 
three days together, little birds as big as sparrows, and unfledged, fall 
out of the air at this place; the inhabitants gather them up, salt them, 
and preserve them in pots. If they do not take them in three days, 
their wings grow large enough to fly away*. 

Timur receives a very unsatisfactory and evasive embassy from Ba- 
jazet, and finds himself constrained to invade the Ottoman empire. 
The Emperor reviewed his army, which proved much to his satisfac- 
tion ; many of the corps being now so equipped, as to be more per- 
fectly and easily distinguished in the heat of battle. 

The army advances to Csesarea in Cappadocia; and his Majesty 
sends a letter to Bajazet enjoining him to listen to his moderate pro- 



Sherefeddin, Vol. IT. p. 240. 



152 BAJAZET'S ARMY ADVANCES. 

C j^ P ' P osa l s > an d send back the officers of his ally Taharten, who had been 
v^-v"*-^ seized; and to let one of his sons be sent also, who shall be treated 
with courtesy and tenderness, as a pledge of his sincerity. 

The Emperor encamped with all his army, at Ancora. Bajazet's 
army advanced*. When night came, Timur offered up his prayers to 
the great creator of the universe, who had been his particular bene- 
factor. " O Lord ! what thou hast hitherto done for me redounds to 
thy glory, why then should I despair?" 

Timur ranged his immense army, which was commanded by the 
greatest lords of Asia. Himself commanded the body of reserve. 
Several ranks of elephants, equipped in the completest and most mag- 
nificent manner, were posted at the head of the whole army f . 

Bajazet's right wing was commanded by Pesir Laus, an European, 
his wife's brother; with twenty thousand cavalry of Europe, armed in 
steel from head to foot, so that nothing could be seen but their eyes. 
Their armour was fastened below the foot by a padlock, which, except 
they open, their cuirass and helmet cannot be taken off. The left 
wing was led by Mussulman Chelibi, son of Bajazet, and composed of 
the troops of Anatolia. The main body was commanded by Bajazet 
himself, having for his lieutenants-general, his three sons, Moussa, 
Aisa, and Mustafa. The most skilful of his five sons, Mehemed Che- 
libi, had the command of the rear, assisted by many pachas and brave 
captains. 

The two armies were resolved to conquer or die. The signals for 
battle were given ; the large trumpet (Kerrenai) was sounded. 

* " Four hundred thousand men, horse-men, and foot-men, advanced with speed 
to oppose and expel me." Timur's Institutes, p. 153. 

t The number of elephants brought from India by Timur, must have been 
very great. 



BATTLE OF ANCORA. — BAJAZET IS TAKEN PRISONER. 

Bajazet's left wing was attacked with a discharge of arrows, and 
Cara Osman broke through it. 

The son of Bajazet performed very noble actions, but being unable to 
withstand the attack, he fled with his troops. Bajazet's right suffer- 
ed a cruel slaughter, and was put in great disorder. On the other 
hand, the Europeans, falling on Timur's troops, gave marks of prodi- 
gious valour and invincible courage. There were alternate repulses; 
but the death of the prince Pesir Laus, and the slaughter of the in- 
fantry of Bajazet's right wing, gave Timur the advantage. Timur 
perceiving this, ordered the commanders to fall on the Ottomans with 
all his army. Quickly, a most terrible carnage ensued, and the rest 
of the enemy fled. The weather, the sun being in Leo, was so hot 
that numbers of the enemy perished with thirst. 

A party had surrounded Bajazet,and attemptedto capture or kill him ; 
but he defended himself very bravely, and made good his escape ; he 
was however hotly pursued, and the Sultan Mahmoud, titular Grand 
Khan of Zagatai, seized him, and he was presented by the great 
emirs, at sun set, with his hands bound, to the conqueror. At this 
sight Timur was moved with compassion*. He ordered Bajazet's 
hands to be unbound, and that he might be brought before him with 
respect. When he was admitted, Timur went to receive him at the 
door of his tent, with great ceremony; and causing him to sit down, 
said to him : " The accidents of this world happen through the will 
of God, but it may justly be said, that you are the sole cause of the 
misfortunes that have befallen you. Knowing that you warred against 
the infidels, I used all possible mildness, and would even have given 
you succour to exterminate the enemies of Mahomet. You haughtily 
refused my moderate proposals for peace. Every one knows, if God 

* Bajazet was then suffering from an attack of the gout. 



THE EMPRESS DESTINA, BAJAZET'S WIFE. 

had given you the victory, in what manner you designed to treat me and 
my army. But, to return thanks to God for my good fortune, you 
may rest satisfied that I will neither treat you nor your friends ill." 
Bajazet was confounded. " I have indeed done wrong, said he, in not 
following the counsels of so great an Emperor ; and my punishment is 
merited. If your Majesty is willing to pardon me, I swear the future 
obedience of myself and my children." 

Timur gave Bajazet a splendid vest, comforted him, and treated 
him as a great Emperor. He was lodged in a royal pavilion, and his 
son Moussa, who was found in the camp, was sent to him. 

Timur sent Mirza Mehemed Sultan to Brusa, in Bythinia, the seat 
of the Ottoman empire, with several tomans, to take possession of Ba- 
jazet's treasures, and the riches of the city, which they then burnt: 
Mussulman Chelibi had fled to Europe in all haste, and had carried off 
part of the treasure. The other cities of Natolia were in like manner 
ravaged, and the people made slaves. 

Great rewards were distributed among the emirs: and every 
soldier had many horses. Bajazet's treasures were brought upon 
mules and camels, to Kioutahia*, where they were presented to 
Timur, with the fallen monarch's family, and his beautiful slaves ; who 
were good dancers, could sing well, and excelled in music. The Em- 
peror sent to Bajazet, his wife, named Destina, (whose brother, Pesir 
Laus, the European, had been killed in the battle), with his daughter 
and all his domestics; but was desirous that that princess, who 
had been tolerated in the Christian religion, even in Bajazet's seraglio, 
should embrace the tenets of Mahomedf . 

* " In my expedition against Room, I gave unto my soldiers seven years' wages : 
part thereof due, and the remainder in advance. The subsistence of a private 
soldier was fixed at the value of his horse." Timur's Institutes, p. 209, 233. 

f The European romances call her Roxana : and make Timur place her in his 
seraglio. 



THE GREEK EMPEROR PAYS TRIBUTE. 



155 



Emir Mehemed, son of Caraman, who had been kept in chains for C: ^ p> 
twelve years by Bajazet, was brought to court and invested by Timur ~y——' 
with the government of Caramania, Iconium, and their dependencies; 
and which remained in his family, under the protection of Timur. 

The army, after spending a month in banquets and plays, departed 
from Kioutahia. On the march, there were feastings and music, to 
which Bajazet was invited, and treated with great honour. Timur 
even granted him the investiture of Natolia, the crown was placed 
upon his head, and a patent given him for his government, in the usual 
form. 

Timur sent to the Sultan of Egypt to desire that the money should be 
coined in his name and titles, and that he would release Atilmich, the 
ambassador. Two ambassadors were sent to the Greek Emperor at 
Constantinople, to summon him to pay tribute and customs ; which 
was consented to, and confirmed by a solemn treaty. 

The Emperor, in his marches in Natolia, ravaged and laid under 
contribution all the towns he approached. Being informed that there 
was an exceedingly strong place on the sea-shore, built of free stone, 
surrounded on three sides by the ocean, and on the fourth by a deep 
ditch, inhabited by Europeans, and named Ezmir (Smyrna) ; and that 
it had never been taken by any Mahomedan, or paid tribute ; and that 
Bajazet had besieged it in vain for seven years; his zeal for religion 
made him resolve to summon them to embrace that of Mahomet, or to 
pay tribute ; or, in case of refusal, he would order them all to be put 
to the sword. These proposals were made in vain. This place con- 
tained a great number of the bravest Christian captains, or rather 
a band of desperate wretches who had laid up much ammuni- 
tion. 

Timur arrived in the midst of rains, and winter. After the most fu- ^P" 1402 



156 SMYRNA TAKEN.— BAJAZET'S DEATH. 

CHAP, rious attacks, and valorous defence ; by means of sapping, battering- 
v —*- v -«w' rams, and fire, the place was stormed, the inhabitants put to the sword, 
the buildings razed, and the moveables cast into the sea. Two large 
ships, called caraccas, arrived, and their commanders anchored. Ti- 
mur ordered that some of the Christians' heads should be cast by 
the machinery on board the vessels ; on which they departed. This 
siege was terminated in two weeks, and every one acknowledged the 
greatness of the Emperor. 

Timur granted favors and governments to two sons of Bajazet. He 
ordered a strong citadel to be built at Smyrna, and that Grecian 
Christians should not be admitted into Asia that way. 

An European, named Soba, prince of the island of Chio, where mas- 
tich grows, voluntarily submitted to pay tribute to the Emperor, and 
sent him presents by an ambassador . 

Bajazet, while Timur was on the march, fell sick. The Emperor 
sent the most skilful physicians of the court to attend him, with the 
same care as if it were for himself; but, since there is nothing of cer- 
tain duration but God, Bajazet died of apoplexy on the 14th of Cha- 
ban, 805. 

A.D. 1403. Timur was so extremely affected, that he bewailed the misfortunes 
March 23 

' of that great prince with tears. He reflected how Providence baffles 
all human projects; for he intended to raise the dejected spirit of Ba- 
jazet, by re-establishing him with great power ; but fate had otherwise 
ordered it. 

Largesses were bestowed on Bajazet's officers, and the Emperor 
presented his son with a royal vest, a belt, a sword, a quiver enriched 
with precious stones, a load of gold, and thirty horses : he likewise 
gave him his letters patent, sealed with the impression of his red hand, 
and then dismissed him; assuring him that Bajazet's coffin should be 



TIMUR'S SON DIES.— THE EMPEROR'S GRIEF. 157 

sent with the pomp of a great king to Brusa, to be interred in his own CHAP. 

mausoleum*. ^p^^j 

Timur's son, Mehemed, it is supposed by the unskilfulness of his A.D. 1403. 

March 27. 

physicians, died, aged nineteen. He had, at this early age, obtained 
more victories, and performed greater acts of valour, than many he- 
roes recorded in history. The afflicted father, flinging his crown 
aside, rent his clothes, and cast himself upon the ground in the most 
surprising transports of grief. The princes and lords, and the ladies 
at court, wore nothing but sackcloth; covering their heads and bosoms 
with earth, and sleeping upon chaff. The princess Canike, Mehe- 
med's wife, was so overwhelmed with sorrow, that she lost her senses. 
Even the soldiers of the army were deeply grieved. The ministers 
of state, falling on their faces, implored the Emperor to arm himself 
with patience, and compose his mind. 

Farrudge, Sultan of Egypt, sent back Timur's ambassador, Atilmich, 
with assurances of entire submission and payment of tribute. Timur 
promised him his protection. The Emperor pursued his march home- 
ward, and was joined by his sons and grandchildren. At sight of 
Mehemed's two little sons, Timur could not refrain from tears. The 
princess Canzade, mother of Mehemed, when made acquainted with 
his death, and seeing all the ladies with black mantles covering their 
heads, swooned, plucked out her hair, and tore her lovely cheeks with 
her nails. Timur, in hopes of soothing her, ordered an empty coffin, 
strongly fastened, to be presented to her, which she eagerly embraced, 
weeping and groaning — " My eyes, (said the afflicted princess), were 
continually watching the public road, in expectation of some news of 

* The story of the iron cage is related by some historians, but not by the Per- 
sians. See a dissertation on that subject by Gibbon, Ch. LXV. The truth is, 
perhaps, that the house upon wheels, such as Bajazet, as well as others, travelled 
in, was secured, to prevent his escape, by iron bars. 



158 



EXCESSIVE SORROW OF THE EMPRESS. — FUNEREAL BANQUET. 



P ' m y dear child! I expected not this cruelty from Fortune. O deplor- 
-—^v-**^ able condition! O wretched Canzade ! O unfortunate prince! merci- 
less Fate hath snatched the sceptre of Iran from thy hand ; and it is not 
without cause, that tears of blood gush from my eyes." 

Timur, judging it proper to do something for the spiritual good of 
his soul, ordered a funereal banquet. All the grandees and nobles of 
Asia sat, according to their rank, at the Emperor's table. The Alco- 
ran was read, and Mehemed's brass drum was beaten ; at sound of 
which there was a sudden and loud weeping; and the drum was bro- 
ken to pieces, being the custom of the Moguls. The Emperor loaded 
the doctors with favours and honours, and permitted an order to be 
issued for leaving off the sackcloth, and other marks of grief. 

Timur sent Mirza Aboubecre to rebuild and reinstate Bagdat, in its 
former splendour ; so that a caravan might depart the next year for 
Mecca. 

The Emperor invaded Georgia, considering it a gazie (holy war), 
and a duty. Death and havock were the consequences to the Geor- 
gians; and they submitted to pay tribute. The Emperor arrived 
at Teflis, having ruined all the churches and monasteries in those 
parts. 

In one month, being the cold season, Timur rebuilt the city of Bai- 
lacan, consisting of a wall, a ditch, four market places, a great number 
of houses, baths, caravanserais, squares, and gardens, all of brick. 
The great Emperors of antiquity could not have achieved this in a 
year. The circumference of the walls was twenty-four hundred cu- 
bits large measure, the thickness eleven cubits, and the height fifteen ; 
with a ditch thirty cubits broad, and twenty wide ; at each corner, 
there were a great bastion, a gallery with battlements, and a machine 
to cast stones. The soldiers were under the direction of the Empe- 
ror's sons and the emirs. 



SLAUGHTER OF LIONS, STAGS, &c. — EUROPEAN MASTIFFS. 159 

The government of JBailacan, Georgia, Armenia, and Trebizond, 
was given to Mirza Calil Sultan. As water was wanting at Bailacan, 
his Majesty ordered a canal to be dug from the Araxes; six leagues 
long and fifteen cubits in breadth. It was finished in about a month. 

Timur sent intendants into all his provinces, to distribute justice 
with rigour, and to examine the state of affairs, with full power. 

" My heart, " said the Emperor, " hath always been set on the en- 
larging of the limits of my vast empire ; but now, I take a resolution 
to use all my care in procuring security to my subjects, and to render 
my kingdom flourishing. I ordain that private persons address their 
complaints to myself. I am unwilling that, at the day of judgment, 
my poor oppressed subjects should cry for vengeance against me; and 
I desire to lay up a treasure of justice, that my soul may be happy af- 
ter death." 

The assembly lifted up their hands to heaven, and said — " O God, 
who art the Lord both of this world and the next, hearken to the 
righteous petitions of this just prince ; and, as thou hast subjected the 
earth to him ; after a long reign in this world, let him reign with thee, 
in glory, in the other." 

Justice was now done on some great lords and governors. 

Timur ordered a famous chase in the plains of Actam, beyond the 
Araxes. The dogs had coverings of satin, embroidered with gold, and 
the hunting leopards had chains of gold, set with jewels, about their 
necks. There were Grecian greyhounds, esteemed for their swiftness, 
excellent beagles, and huge European mastiffs, as strong and terrible 
as tigers. 

After three days the circle began to close, and the slaughter of lions 
antelopes, roebucks, and stags, was infinite *. 



* This is a fine sporting country. " We came to the Araxes, and, in five 



160 



AMBASSADOR FROM THE KING OF CASTILE. 



CHAP. Timur, having made himself master of Natolia and Syria, with their 

— -v-^ dependencies; subjected Egypt to pay an annual tribute; and ful- 

l.D. 1404. 

April 8. filled the precept in the Alcoran, in making war on the Christians 
of Georgia; reflected that, to crown his happy life, he had no more 
to conquer in Asia than the Emperor of China, the inhabitants of 
which empire were infidels. He therefore resolved on that conquest, 
and departed from Carabagh for Samarcand. 
July. After a long march, during which his Majesty punished some re- 
volters, he reached his capital. 

An ambassador* arrived from one of the greatest sovereigns of Eu- 
rope, who brought Timur many curious presents ; among which were 
some of tapestry, so curiously worked that they disgraced the painter 
Manis's greatest performances. 

Timur ordered the Damascus architects to build a magnificent 
palace, in the garden south of Baghi Chemal, each of its sides be- 
ing fifteen hundred cubits. There were perpetual fountains in 

days' march, to a plain full of wormwood and aromatic shrubs, but no trees ; the 
most numerous wild creatures, were ostriches, bustards, roe-deer, and asses; the 
last exceeded our horses in speed, and when they had gained ground, they stood 
still, till the pursuers approached, and again they fled; we were therefore obliged 
to hunt them by relays. Their flesh is like that of the red-deer, but more tender." 
Xenophon, Retreat, p. 27. 

* Ruy Gonzales de Clavijo, from Henry III. King of Castile. Clavijo pub- 
lished an account of this embassy, which bears authentic testimony to facts related 
by Sherefeddin ; and he gives an account of a former embassy of two gentlemen 
of the court, to Timur ; who, when they returned, were accompanied by a great 
lord, as an ambassador from Timur to Henry, with a letter and abundance of rich 
presents; among which were two ladies taken out of Bajazet's seraglio, one of 
whom was daughter of Count John, a Hungarian, and niece of the king of Hunga- 
ry. Her name was Donna Angelina de Grecia ; the other was a Greek named 
Donna Maria. The first married Diego Gonzales de Contreras, Regidor of Se- 
govia. The latter married Payo Gomes de Sotomayor, one of the ambassadors. 
They were both respected at the court of Castile. See the French Editor's Pre- 
face to Sherefeddin. 



TWO HUNDRED SPLENDID TENTS.— CAMELOPARD.— OSTRICHES. 161 

great variety, mosaic work, marble, porcelain, and every rich ornament. c *^ p - 
Here Timur ordered a banquet to be prepared with all the delights \^-y-^j 
which mortals can desire for their gratification. The European am- 
bassadors were invited, for even the casses have their place in the 
ocean *, 

Timur, in conformity with the commands of the Alcoran, was wil- Oct. 17. 
ling that his grand-children should be married. He sent circular let- 
ters to all his nobles and governors of the empire, (with the exception 
of Shah Rohk, who could not be spared from the kingdoms of Irac 
and Azerbijan), to meet at Canighul, for this grand marriage-feast. 

The tents were fastened with ropes of silk, and the floors co- 
vered with carpets wrought with gold ; the curtains were of velvet of 
Chuchter; the ceilings of ebony and ivory, exquisitely engraved. 

The Emperor's division consisted of four great enclosures, regular- 
ly planned. The Imperial residence consisted of two hundred tents, 
gilt and adorned with precious stones. Each tent had twelve columns 
of silver inlaid with gold : the outside was scarlet and seven other 
colours, and they were lined with satin of all colours. 

The mirzas and emirs had their tents also, which were supported 
by columns of massive silver, and spread with the richest carpets. 
The generals, governors, and lords pitched their tents in good and 
regular order. 

The people came from China, Muscovy, Greece, India, Zabul, Bag- 
dat, Syria, in short from all Asia. Mengheli, a principal lord of 
Egypt, and eloquent man, and who could repeat the whole Alcoran, 
arrived as ambassador from Farrudge, the son of Barcoc, with abund- 
ance of rich presents in gold and jewels, and also a Giraffe and nine 
large ostriches. 

* Animals about the size of a grain of corn, which float upon the sea. 
Y 



MAGNIFICENT MARRIAGE FEAST.— A MASQUERADE. 

The Emperor's sons arrived and presented the most precious gifts, 
always nine of a sort. In fine, Canighul was converted from a garden 
of flowers, which its name implies, into a bed of precious stones, pearls, 
and gold *. 

An amphitheatre was built and spread with brocade and Persian 
carpets, with seats for vocal and instrumental performers ; and places 
for buffoons and jesters, to excite mirth by their facetious sayings. 
Another was prepared for all sorts of trades. A hundred divisions 
were laid out with pomegranates, pears, apples, and fruits, which per- 
fumed the air. 

Some young women were dressed up as angels, fairies, satyrs, speaking 
goats with gilt horns; and there were figures of elephants and sheep. 

The furriers appeared in the guise of leopards, lions, tigers, &c. to 
represent Genii, who had thus transformed themselves. 

The upholsterers made an artificial camel, which walked about as 
if alive. The saddlers made two open litters, which were laid upon a 
camel; two beautiful women were placed in them, and diverted the as- 
sembly with variety of postures of the hands and feet. The rope dan- 
cers attracted the admiration of all. 

The grand cadi of Samarcand received the consent of the six 
princes and princesses ; the articles were agreed on ; the ceremony 
read; and the parties joined in marriage; which he registered. Every 
one sprinkled the brides and bridegrooms with jewels. 

The Emperor, seated upon his throne, ordered a most magnificent 
banquet to be served up to the brides and court ladies, by the great- 
est beauties of the seraglio, decorated with crowns of flowers. 

* " All the riches of Xerxes and Darius, of which our historians talk so ex- 
travagantly, were trifling in comparison of the jewels and gold exhibited on this 
occasion, on the delightful plain, called Ganigul, or the treasury of roses." Sir 
W. Jones, Vol. V. p. 607. 



RICH DRESSES. — CROWNS. — SHOWERS OF JEWELS. 



163 



The princes of the blood, emirs, nevians, cherifs, foreign ambassa- CHAP. 

IV. 

dors, the emirs of tomans and hazares, were seated according to their v^i^-^ 
rank, under a canopy of twelve columns, distant from the nuptial hall 
a horse's course. 

The Yesaouls (or Chaoux) were mounted on the finest horses, with 
saddles of gold and jewels, magnificently dressed in gold brocade, with 
silver wands in their hands, to shew their authority. On another side 
were elephants of a prodigious size, with a kind of thrones upon their 
backs, abundantly ornamented. 

Cammez, wines, brandy, oxymel, hippocras, sirma, and other li- 
quors, were presented upon salvers of gold and silver, in cups of agate, 
rock crystal, and gold, ornamented with pearls and jewels. 

Several forests were cut down, to dress the victuals of this banquet. 
The whole plain was covered with tables, flaggons, baskets of provi- 
sion, and jars for the court and people. 

It was proclaimed by the crier, by the Emperor's command : — 

" This is the time for feasting and rejoicing, let no one encroach on 
another, or ask — * Why have you done this?'" 

After the feast, mules and camels, handsomely adorned in satin em- 
broidery and little golden bells, were laden with rich habits, crowns, 
and belts of jewels, for the newly married. 

The brides and bridegrooms changed their rich dresses, crowns, and 
belts, nine times ; at each change paying their respects, and being 
sprinkled with jewels, till the ground was covered; and which became 
the profit of the domestics. 

The following night there were illuminations in every place, of lan- 
terns, torches, and lamps; and the new married entered the nuptial 
chambers. The next day the Emperor, Empresses, great emirs, and 
cherifs, visited them at their apartments. The sound of drums 



Y2 



HOLY WAR TO EXTERMINATE THE CHINESE. 

and trumpets was heard in every place, from Canighul to Tous, in 
Chorassan. 

The ambassadors of India, Egypt, Spain, Gete, Decht-Capchac, 
and others, witnessed this magnificence and pleasure, which lasted two 
months; and they were distinguished by particular favours. 

The marriage-feasts being over, Timur recalled the licence, and for- 
bade the drinking of wine, or other unlawful act ; and every one was 
ordered to his proper employ. 

The Emperor returned to his closet, to address himself to God 

" O Almighty Being, whose essence is unknown but to thyself, how can 
I recite thy praise, who out of nothing hast created me, and from a pet- 
ty prince hast rendered me the mightiest emperor of the universe ! 

Continue, then, O thou Great Creator! thy goodness to me. I know 
that I am but dust. O Lord ! put me not to shame because of my 
vices, who have been so long accustomed to partake of thy favours : 
and then I shall rest contented." 

Timur having summoned his children and the great emirs, addressed 
them thus: " As my vast conquests have caused the destruction of a 
great number of God's creatures, I have resolved to atone for the 
crimes of my past life, by exterminating the infidels of China. It is 
fitting, therefore, my dear companions, that the instruments whereby 
the faults were committed, should also be the instruments of repent- 
ance, and have the merit of that holy war, to demolish the temples of 
the idols of fire ; and erect in their places mosques and chapels : as the 

Alcoran assures us, that good works efface the sins of this world." 

These sentiments were unanimously applauded — " Let the Emperor, 
(said they) display his standard, and his slaves will follow him." 

Timur returned to Samarcand, and dismissed the princes to their 
governments, and the ambassadors to their countries, with honour and 
distinction. 



MARCH FOR CHINA.— EXTREME COLD.— PALACE TAKES FIRE. 165 

The Emir Berendac was ordered to review the troops. He brought CHAP, 
word to the Emperor, that they consisted of two hundred thousand 
men complete; capable of the greatest enterprises. Timur was pleas- 
ed, and ordered them to begin the march. Having consulted the as- 
trologers; who finding the moon, the sun, and Jupiter, in favour- 
able aspects, the Emperor seized the happy moment, and began his 
march. 

The winter was very violent: the Emperor encamped at Ascoulat. A.D. 1405. 
From this place, Timur strictly enjoined the viceroys and governors ^ an " 
to do justice, and guard his people from harm ; that he may not 
have to blush for their shame before the throne of God, at the day of 
judgment. 

The army was well supplied, and several thousand loads of corn were 
carried in waggons, to sow the fields on the road, and thousands of she- 
camels were taken for their milk. The violence of the cold was such, 
that men and horses perished ; and many lost their hands, feet, ears, 
or noses. Timur crossed the Sihon, upon the ice, which they found, 
on digging for water, was two or three cubits thick. 

The Emperor arrived at Otrar, seventy-six parasangs from Samar- Feb. 27. 
cand, and lodged in the palace of Birdi Bey, where all the princes and 
lords had also their respective apartments. The day of the Emperor's 
arrival, one corner of the roof of the palace, in which he was lodged, 
took fire from the tunnel of a chimney running by it ; but the fire was 
soon extinguished. 

On the 10th of Chaban, Timur was attacked by a burning fever, and March 25. 
believed he heard the Houris say to him, " Repent! for you must appear 
before God." On this he became sincerely penitent for his crimes *. 



* Enthusiasm (says Locke) is a state of mind founded neither on reason nor 



166 



TIMUR FALLS SICK. 



CHAP. His sickness increasing, and having no rest, he was much weakened. 

^-^■^z Then, neither empire, nor armies, nor riches, nor crowns, stood him in 
any stead. One of the most skilful physicians of the age employed 
all his care* ; but fate had ordained. His mind continued sound, and 
he resolved courageously to face death. He called the empresses and 
principal emirs into his presence. " I am satisfied, " said the Emperor, 
" that my soul is about to leave my body. I beseech you, instead of 
uttering cries, rending your garments, and running to and fro, like mad- 
men, to say Alia Akbar ! and the Fathia, that my soul may find comfort. 
Since God has enabled f me to give laws to the earth, whereby, through 

revelation, but rises from the conceits of an overweening brain. Timur would 
now, probably, reflect on the numerous pyramids of ghastly heads. 

Timur's Dream. 
Hark ! I hear the Houris say — 
Soul of Timur, wing thy way, 
Leaving earth and mortal things, 
Stand before the King of Kings ! 
Awful truth must here be told — 
If thou fought'st for God or gold. 

* It is said, that Timur had imprudently drunk a glass of cold water, which, not 
improbably, saved the empire of China. 

t Once, at the siege of a strong castle, Timur, by too much fatigue, was seized 
with a fever, but not being able to rest without seeing how things went on, he 
ordered his attendants to carry him to the door of his tent, which stood upon an 
eminence, and from whence he beheld the attack. He was supported under the 
arms by two persons ; but, being very weak, he soon ordered them to lay him gently 
upon the ground, which they did. Then, sending one of them away, he said to 
the other, named Mahmud of Marasm, " Consider my feebleness, and how destitute 
I am of strength. I have neither a hand to do anything, nor a foot to walk : if I 
should be attacked, I cannot defend myself. Should I be abandoned in the condi- 
tion I am in, I should remain as in a trap, without being able in any wise to help 
myself, or avoid the evils that must befal me : yet, see, the Almighty has subjected 
nations to my obedience, gives me entrance into the most inaccessible places, fills 



DEATH OF THE EMPEROR. 167 

all the kingdoms of Iran and Touran, no one dare encroach on his neigh- c ^ p - 
bour, I have hopes that he will pardon my sins, though they are with- 
out number. I have the consolation, throughout my reign, of not 
having permitted the strong to oppress the weak. I declare my son 
Pir Mehemed Gehanghir, my universal heir, and lawful successor to 
the empire. He must possess the throne of Samarcand with absolute 
sovereignty ; and I command you all to obey him, that my labours 
for so many years may not be lost." 

Timur then ordered all the generals and great lords to come before 
him, and to promise, on their solemn oaths, that no one should be per- 
mitted to oppose the execution of his will. The lords melted into 
tears with grief and despair : and, falling on their faces, asked if they 
should send for Calil Sultan? " No," said Timur, " I have no other 
desire than to see Mirza Shah Kohk once more ; but God will not 
have it so." The ladies in the anti-chamber were in the utmost con- 
sternation. Timur, turning to his children, said, "Remember to A. D. 1405. 
keep the public tranquillity; be valiant, that you may long enjoy a Apul *' 
vast empire; and make equity and justice the rule of your actions. 
If discord should creep in among you, irreparable mischiefs will arise 
both in religion and government." Timur was pleased to have the 
doctor, Moulana Hebetulla, to read the word of God. At night, at 
about eight o'clock, Timur, remembering the promise of Mahomet, that 
he whose last words are, " there is no other god than God," shall 
surely enter Paradise, made profession of that belief. Then he gave 
up his soul to the angel Esrafiel *, who called him in these words: — 

the earth with the terror of my name, and makes kings and princes fall down be- 
fore me. Can such works come from any but God? What am I but a poor miser- 
able wretch, without either power or application equal to such great exploits ? " 
At these words the tears fell from his eyes, neither could Mahmud refrain from 
weeping. 

* Israel. 



168 



TIMUR AND CROMWELL COMPARED. 



CHAP. « O soul that hopest in God, return to thy Lord with resignation. We 
^*-^r***j belong to God, and must return to him." 

Timur was seventy-one years of age, and had reigned thirty-six *. 

This dismal night was passed in grief. Horror seized both on his 
friends and enemies. The princes of the blood cast their crowns on 
the earth; the empresses tore their faces and hair; and the emirs rent 
their robes ; tempests, rains, and thunder did not cease through the 
night, as if heaven shared the affliction f. 

The next morning, the body was embalmed with camphire, musk, 
and rose water; and, being wrapped in linen, was laid in a coffin of 
ebony. An express was sent to Gazna to Pir Mahomed, to beseech 
his presence : and Timur's death was not permitted to be published. 

* Timur was, in many qualities, unquestionably a great man: politic, circum- 
spect, temperate, generous, and just except in warfare. His admirers, like his de- 
scendants, (see Dow, Vol. II. p. 9), must deplore his fanatical murders. Religion, 
that cordial of the human mind, when it deviates into bigotry, never fails to confuse 
the understanding ; and in general it inhumanizes the heart. But for this " damned 
sjwt" Timur, as a conqueror and a great monarch, might have commanded a dis- 
tinguished fame on the page of history. He is, for the extent of his conquests, 
second only to Genghis Khan, having exceeded the Great Cyrus and Alexander. 

The horror of all mankind, except those of his own sect, attaches to such a mis- 
chievous being during his existence : and probably, even most of the followers 
of Ali, at the present time, are softened into a more rational character ; and the 
best portion of them look back on him, in that respect, with disapprobation. 
Timur has been called the Destroying Prince : but Genghis Khan, an ambitious 
fanatic, has a prior claim, and a juster right to that infernal pre-eminence. 

f There is much similitude between the character and career of Cromwell and 
those of Timur: — their bigotry, talents, courage, magnanimous resolution, success, 
death, and immediate loss of their empires. "At the great stormy Monday, on 
which day he died, Cromwell (upon a revelation they say) told his physicians that 
he should now live to perfect the work. At his death, he had no sin that troub- 
led him, but only his want of faith. I suppose he meant, as the divines of that 
party do, a full assurance of remission of sins and eternal salvation ; and then it 
was no wonder he wanted it." John Barwick to Charles II. Letter LXXIX. 
Select Collection, 1755. 



CALIL SEIZES THE THRONE. j 6 

A general council was held, and it was resolved to continue the ex- CHAP. 

IV. 

peditionto China, without waiting for the arrival of the new Emperor w - v -^_ 
but Mirza Sultan Hussein, who had deserted at Damascus, and fought 
against Timur, disbanded a part of the left wing of the army ; and, 
with a thousand horse, took the road to Samarcand, designing to sur- 
prise the inhabitants by a stratagem, that he might enter the city. 
Couriers were sent in all directions, and the whole army marched for 
Samarcand. The emirs and soldiers of Califs court, at Tashkund, 
hearing of the defection of Hussein, swore allegiance to Calil Sultan, 
a grandson of Timur, and sovereign of Tashkund; and placed him on 
the throne. 

On news of this, Timur's army, with the treasure, advanced towards April 16. 
Bochara. The empresses, with the heavy baggage, were admitted into 
Samarcand. Calil, having marched to Samarcand, was received, and April 27. 
took possession of the imperial palace ; which contained all the trea- 
sures received in tribute, and the plunder of thirty-six years. He re- 
ceived the submission of the principal men of the state *. He ordered 
a funereal banquet; and the Alcoran to be read through. Timur's 
drum was beaten mournfully; and then broken to pieces. When 
Calil found himself fixed on the throne, he distributed gold like corn 
out of barns; and it was carried away by loads, to the amazement of 
the people. 

At the death of the nephew of Hadgi Berlas, his empire reached 
from the Irtish and Volga to the Persian Gulf; and from the Indus, 
(for he did not keep possession of Hindostan), to Damascus and the 
Grecian Archipelago. Including Zagatai, Timur had placed twenty- 

* About a dozen emirs virtuously remonstrated. Pir Mahomed was the law- 
ful heir, being the eldest son of Timur's eldest son, Gehanghir: he was now 
twenty-nine years of age. 



z 



CALIL'S LOVE FOR SHADI MULC. 

seven crowns upon his head. All his conquests were governed by his 
children, or his principal nobles, as viceroys. Hindostan, Asia Minor, 
Russia, Siberia, Gete, Bagdat, Georgia, &c. had been invaded and 
plundered. Egypt, and the Greek empire, had submitted to pay 
tribute. 

It would require a large volume to describe the castles, cities, pa- 
laces, bridges, monasteries, mosques, hospitals, pleasure houses, and 
caravanserais which were built ; and the rivers and canals which were 
dug by this pious Emperor. 

Timur left thirty-six sons and grandsons *, one daughter, and fifteen 
grand-daughters. He was a rigid observer of his word; liberal and 
courteous to all, except those who refused to obey him. He passed 
his leisure hours in reading books of science and history ; in playing 
at chess, in which game he made some alterations ; and in the con- 
versation of learned men. At his first rise to distinction, Asia was a 
prey to anarchy and bad government; at his death, justice and secu- 
rity were enjoyed throughout his dominions f. 

The Mirza Calil, at the age of twenty-one, without striking a blow, 
was now in possession of the vastest and richest empire at that pe- 
riod in the universe. 

During the absence of Timur in Georgia, the mirza had privately 
married Shadi Mule, a great beauty, one of the concubines of the 
Emir Hadgi Seifeddin. The mirza's wife informed Timur; who or- 
dered that Shadi Mule should make her appearance: but the mirza 

* The expense of Timur's family must have been immense. His eldest son re- 
ceived the subsistence of twelve thousand horsemen : his second son, of ten ; his 
third son, of nine: his fourth son, Shah Rohk, of seven thousand, &c. and his 
grandsons' subsistence and lands, of from three to seven thousand horsemen each. 
— Institutes, p. 241. 

f Sherefeddin. Dow's Hindostan. Modern Universal History. Gibbon. Pur- 
chas. De Guines, &c. 



UNPARALLELED EXTRAVAGANCE. 171 

having concealed her, Timur, enraged, commanded a strict search — . c *j*y P " 
Being found, she was condemned to die; and would have been put to K^-^f-^J 
death, but for the intercession of Mirza Pir Mehemed Gehanghir. 

Calil having again concealed her in his house, and information 
thereof being transmitted to Timur, she was forthwith ordered to be 
executed. 

The empress, Serai Mule Canum, was affected at the deep anxiety 
and despair of the unhappy mirza, and trusting to Timur's love of his 
children, she prevailed on the emir, Noureddin, to inform Timur that 
the lady was pregnant by the mirza. On this account the order was 
reversed, and she was entrusted to the care of the Empress Bou- 
yan Aga ; that, after the lying in> she might bring up the child, and 
commit the lady to the care of the black eunuchs. 

On the death of Timur, Calil, finding himself an absolute sovereign, 
being crowned on the 27th April, resigned every thing to the will of 
the beauty, whose charms were the subject of all his thoughts; and he 
took no pleasure but in her company. Calil became her slave, and 
breathed only by her permission; while she accounted every thing 
beneath her, and shewed no respect whatever either to the princes or 
nobles. 

The state, in whatever concerned the sovereign authority, was now 
thrown into great disorder. The mirza squandered his wealth with 
such profusion, and chiefly among those who were afterwards the cause 
of his ruin ; that, though all the riches of Hatem, and the tribe of Tai, 
did not equal the tenth part of one of the imperial treasuries, it was 
soon entirely gone. Strangers and upstarts were suddenly enriched 
and promoted to the first offices in the state; while persons of the 
greatest merit were totally disregarded. * Bestow not honour and 
riches," says the poet, " on him thou lovest, unless by degrees ; lest he 
become insensible of the obligations he owes to you." 

z 2 



DEATH OF CALIL. — SHADI MULC DESTROYS HERSELF. 

Shadi Mule, being inferior in rank to the deceased Emperor's wives, 
those empresses became jealous of her greatness ; at which Shadi Mule 
was very indignant, and persuaded Calil to force them to marry per- 
sons in every way unworthy of them. Calil behaved to these venera- 
ble ladies, whom he ought to have reverenced as his mother, with 
every disrespect. Even the soldiers were now disgusted with the 
new Emperor, and the affairs of the state fell into the utmost con- 
fusion. 

Pir Mahomed had been put to death by the treachery of his own 
ministers. The Emperor Calil was seized by conspirators, and sent 
to Cashgar, where he passed his time in writing verses on the charms 
of his beloved empress*; while she herself was led in chains through 
the streets of Samarcand, exposed to the insults of a justly irritated 
populace. In 1409, Shah Rohk succeeded to the throne. Calil was 
sent to Chorassan where he soon died; and Shadi Mule, who was sin- 
cerely attached to him, would not survive him, but struck a poignard 
into her bosom, and was buried in the same tombf. 

* Thus were the fruits of Timur's conquests puffed into the air like a feather ; 
the amount of them can scarcely be guessed at. The lines of Hafez are more appli- 
cable to the prince than to the poet. 

" Sweet maid, if thou would'st charm my sight, 

And bid these arms thy neck infold, 

That rosy cheek, that lily hand, 

Would give thy Calil more delight 

Than all Bocara's vaunted gold, 

Than all the gems of Samarcand. 

Sir Wm. Jones, Vol. IV. p. 449. 



t Sherefeddin, and Histoire des Huns, Vol. V. p. 81. 



173 



CHAP. 
IV. 



EMBASSY FROM SHAH ROHK, SON OF TAMERLANE, 
TO THE EMPEROR OF CHINA. 

In the year of the Hegira 822, A.D. 1419, Shah Rohk sent Shadai 
Khoja as an ambassador to China. The party set out from Herat, and 
proceeded, by Balk, to Samarcand, where they found Mirza Ulug 
Bey, Shah Rohk's son, (the great astronomer)*, who sent other lords, 
and some Chinese, to join the embassy. 

They passed through Tashkund, J ay ram, Ash, and Ilduz, (supposed 
to be Yelduz), and found the ice to be two inches thick, though the 
sun was then in the summer solstice. They proceeded to Tarcan, 
Kamul, and thence to a place within twelve days of Sekju, the first 
city in Katay. The embassy consisted, in all, of eight hundred and 
sixty-seven persons. In the desert, on the borders, the whole em- 
bassy was magnificently feasted, and accommodated with beds, &c. 
even for all the servants. 

On their arrival at Kamju, (Campion), they were entertained in a 
noble manner. At this place they saw a temple, each side of which was 
five hundred cubits long ; and in the middle of it was an idol fifty feet in 
length, lying as if asleep. The hands and feet were nine feet 
long, and the head was twenty-one feet in circumference. There were 
other idols about him, each a cubit high, in attitudes as if alive. They 
saw ten more temples in the city ; one with eight sides, and fifteen 

* Ulug Bey had a quadrant, at Samarcand, one hundred and eighty feet high. 
His Astronomical Tables are found to differ very little from those afterwards con- 
structed by Tycho Brahe. His principal work is a Catalogue of the Fixed Stars, 
from his own Observations, A.D. 1437. Enc. Brit. " Astronomy." 



174 CITY OF BEAUTY.— IMAGE FIFTY CUBITS HIGH. 

CHAP, stories in height, the chambers of which were varnished, and em- 
v — «^^*^" bellished with paintings. At the foot of this temple were figures of 
giants, which seemed to carry it upon their backs. It was of wood, 
gilt, and so rich that it appeared like massy gold. In a vault under the 
edifice, is an iron axis or pillar, which rests upon a plate of iron, and 
reaches from the bottom to the top. This, being moved with ease, 
sets the whole fabric in motion ; and turns it round in such a surpris- 
ing manner, that "all the carpenters, smiths, and painters in the world, 
ought to go thither to learn the secrets of their trades." 

As the embassy approached the capital, the magnificence increased. 
They arrived at Karamuran, (on the banks of the Whang-ho), and 
crossed a firm even bridge of boats, fastened with iron chains attached 
to thick iron pillars. There is a still more superb temple here; and 
three public stews, full of very beautiful harlots. The women 
here being the handsomest in Katay, this is called — " The City 
of Beauty." 

At Sad-in-fu, in a temple, was an image of brass gilt, fifty cubits 
high, called the image of a thousand hands, having a great number, 
and in the palm an eye. 

On the arrival of the embassy at Khanbalik, (Pekin), they were con- 
ducted to the palace gate, where stood five elephants on each side. 
They then entered a beautiful court, where near a hundred thousand 
men were awaiting the Emperor; and three hundred thousand out- 
side. Before the palace were two thousand musicians singing hymns, 
and two thousand guards armed with swords, halberds, &c. It was 
now just day-light, and drums, trumpets, flutes, hautbois, and bells 
began to sound. The throne was massy gold. The commanders of 
ten thousand, one thousand &c. and an infinite number of guards at- 
tended, in profound silence. The Emperor ascended by nine steps of 
silver. On each side of the throne, stood two beautiful maidens, with 



EMPEROR OF CHINA UPON HIS THRONE. 



175 



their faces and necks bare, their hair tied at the top of their heads, CHAP. 

r IV. 
and great pearls at their ears. They had a pen and paper; and re- 

corded whatever the Emperor spoke. The seven ambassadors ap- 
proached, and also seven hundred criminals, none of whom are put to 
death without the minutest enquiry ; and the Emperor never condemns 
any but those he cannot save. The seven ambassadors were ordered 
to fall upon their knees, and knock the ground with their foreheads ; 
but they only bowed the head three times. They delivered the letters 
of Shah Rohk, and other princes, (the grandeur and ceremonies are 
here described, but need not be repeated, being similar to the accounts 
which appear in this work from Marco Polo and Sir John Maunde- 
ville). In the court, were several thousands of different birds, which 
flew about, and fed upon the ground among the people, quite tamed 
and fearless. For five months there were occasional grand banquets. 

On new year's day, people from Thibet and all parts arrived at the 
grand feast, (for which see in this volume Ch. II. Maundeville's and 
Polo's descriptions). The elephants on that day were adorned with a 
magnificence not to be expressed, with silver seats and standards, and 
armed men upon their backs. Fifty of them carried the musicians, 
these were preceded or followed by fifty thousand in profound si- 
lence and order*. Immense illuminations took place for many days. 

* This must be considered as a mere oriental hyperbole, to mean a vast num- 
ber. (Maundeville relates that Thiaut Khan had one hundred and thirty thou- 
sand registered minstrels, and one hundred and fifty thousand keepers of the 
elephants, beasts, and birds. See Ch. II.) We find the same expression in the 
travels of two Mahomedans through India, in the ninth century. 

" These kingdoms border on the lands of a king called Rami, who is at war 
with the king of Harez and with the Balhara also. This king is not much consi- 
dered for his birth, or the antiquity of his kingdom, but his forces are more nu- 
merous than those of the Balhara, (or king of kings, sovereign of Kanuge a city 
on the Ganges — See notes to Abul Ghazi, Vol. II. pp. 473, 754), and even those 
of Harez and Tafek. They say that when he takes the field, he appears at the 
head of fifty thousand elephants." Harris's Voyages, Vol. I. p. 525. 



176 EMPEROR THROWN FROM HIS HORSE. — HIS ANGER. 

CHAP. Debtors and all felons, except murderers, were discharged from the 
<**-y~>*^ prisons. 

The Emperor presented shankars, much esteemed birds, to those 
who had brought him horses : he then made rich presents to the am- 
bassadors. Sending for them, he said he was going to hunt; and de- 
sired them to take out the shankars for their amusement ; they would 
fly well, said his majesty; but the horses they had presented were not 
good. 

The next morning the ambassadors were told that the horse sent 
by Shah Rohk had thrown the Emperor; and that his majesty 
had commanded them to be put in chains. They were near the Em- 
peror's quarters, and were ordered to wait. His majesty was per- 
suaded not to put them to death, as it would be violating the law of 
nations ; and they were pardoned. 

The Emperor mounted the large black horse sent him by Ulug Bey, 
and had a parade of guards about him. The ambassadors were or- 
dered to alight near him. He said, addressing them, " the rarities, 
beasts, and other presents sent to me in future, must be better chosen ; 
the horse I rode is so vicious, and I am so aged, that I have been 
thrown, and am much hurt in the hand ; but have assuaged the pain 
by laying gold upon it." 

Shadai Khoja apologized to his majesty, and represented that it 
was the horse which the great Timur had ridden upon; and that 
Shah Rohk had sent it to his majesty, as the horse of the greatest 
value in all his dominions. The Emperor, being satisfied with this 
answer, called for a shankar and let it fly at a crane; but it did not 
seize the prey, and his majesty gave it three strokes upon the head. 
Then sitting upon a chair, and placing his feet upon another, the Em- 
peror gave a shankar * to Sultan Shah, and one to Sultan Ahmed ; but 

* It is an old custom among the Tartars, to give a fine falcon as an extraordi- 



ON THE ORIGIN OF THE GYPSIES. 177 

none to Shadai Khoja: he then remounted his horse, and returned to CHAP. 

IV. 

the city; where he was received with a thousand acclamations. The v^-^-*^ 
Emperor being ill, his son dismissed the ambassadors with honour, 
and they reached Herat after an absence of two years*. 



ON THE ORIGIN OF THE GYPSIES. 

The Gypsies have puzzled the world almost as much as the Mam- 
moths: but the history of Tamerlane's invasion of Hindostan, appears 
to afford the true solution of their origin. " Mr. Grellman, in his dis- 
sertation, supposes the Gypsies to be Hindoos of the lowest class, and 
grounds this hypothesis, chiefly, on the similarity of the gypsy-lan- 
guage to the Hindostanee, shewing many words to be the same; 
though many are different. He conjectures that they fled from India 
on Timur's invasion; but he acknowledges that it is a mere sur- 
misef." 

Sir William Jones suggests, that, in some piratical expedition, they 
might have landed in Arabia or Africa, and rambled to Egypt and 
Europe. " The motley language of the Gypsies, of which Mr. Grell- 
man exhibits a copious vocabulary, contains so many Sanscrit words, 

nary present, hawking being one of their favorite amusements. In the province 
of Dauria, near the Amoor, there are great numbers of milk white falcons, from 
whence China is supplied. 

The Tartars in Siberia make use of three sorts The first is called in their 

tongue, Hkartscheg Aholphei, or Tzungar, which is the best and most beautiful 
kind; it is pretty large, ash coloured, and some are speckled white. See Strah- 
lenberg, p. 362. Abul Ghazi, Vol. I. p. 37, says, this bird is white except the 
feet, eyes, and bill, which are red. 

* Astley's Collection, Vol. IV. 

t Rees's Encyc. "Egyptians." 

A A 



ON THE ORIGIN OF THE GYPSIES. 

that their Indian origin can hardly be doubted. The authenticity of 
that vocabulary seems established by a multitude of gypsy-words, as 
bhu, earth; cashtli, wood; and a hundred more, for which the collector 
of them could find no parallel in the vulgar dialect of Hindostan ; 
though we know them to be pure Sanscrit, scarce changed in a single 
letter. Near the mouth of the river Sindhu, is a district named by 
Nearchus, in his journal, Sangada, which M. D'Anville supposes, 
justly, to be the seat of the Sanganians, a piratical nation, well known 
at present in the west of India. Mr. Malet, the resident at Poonah, 
procured for me the Sanganian letters, which are a sort of Nagari, 
and a specimen of their language, which is apparently derived from 
the Sanscrit: nor can I doubt, from the description of their persons 
and manners, that they are the outcast Hindoos. It seems agreed, 
that the Gypsies passed the Mediterranean immediately from Egypt *." 

The Gypsies are found in most countries of Europe. The writer 
has seen them in Moscow. " Descending the western branch of the 
Ural mountains, I passed a gang of gypsies with their usual excen- 
tricities, and a larger gang of convicts ; and reached Kimgour, for- 
merly the capital of a province, and previous to that a favorite place 
of the Tartars f." 

We have seen, in the chapter on Timur's wars, what immense 
numbers of Hindoos were captured and brought away from India: 
not only artisans and others, for the Emperor's service, but a hun- 
dred and fifty, (men, women, and children), for an officer; and even 
as many as twenty for a private soldier. Timur's numerous ele- 
phants of war, besides those brought away by himself and others as 
beasts of burthen, and for presents to the nobility and chiefs of the 

* Sir W. Jones's Works, Vol. I. p. 119. 

f Captain Cochrane's Pedestrian Journey, p. 540. 



ON THE ORIGIN OF THE GYPSIES. 179 

provinces, were, no doubt, under the management of Indians *. In 
all the warlike expeditions, Timur, after he had invaded India, was K^*~^ r --~ J 
attended by his elephants, and also by his hunting establishment : he 
must therefore have had a great number of dogs ; and the care of those 
animals is one of the occupations of the pariah Hindoos. Bajazet 
was taunted by Timur, for his vanity in maintaining twelve thousand 
dog-keepers. Timur, very probably, in that capacity employed a con- 
siderable number of Indians. 

After Timur's death, A.D. 1405, his country was for a long while in 
the utmost confusion, and with an empty treasury. Ralph Volaterius 
affirms, that the Gypsies first proceeded from among the Uxii, a peo- 
ple of Persia. Munster relates, that the Gypsies made their first ap- 
pearance in Germany, in 1417, in pitiful array; though they affected 
quality, and travelled with a train of hunting dogs after them, like no- 
bles. Pope Pius II. supposes them to have migrated from the coun- 
try of the Zigi, near Circassia. 

The Gypsies are called Cingani, or Zingarii; Egyptians; Bohemi- 
ans; Saracens; and Tartars f. They are, according to Sir William 
Jones's remarks, Sanganians, They first entered Europe from Tarta- 
ry, Syria, and Egypt; both of the latter kingdoms were at that time 
under one monarch, Farrudge, son of Barkok. When they reached Bo- 
hemia, the king gave them passports to proceed to other countries %. 

Thus, the various denominations by which the Gypsies have been 
known, are satisfactorily accounted for; and little, if any, doubt can re- 

* Upon each elephant were two-and-thirty strong men, besides the Indian that 
ruled him. 1 Maccabees, Ch. VI. 37. 
f Rees's Encyc. " Egyptians." 

% " En ces annees (1417) il commence decourir en Allemagne certaines bandes 
de vagabonds. On les nommoit Tartares et Zigens." Mezeray. 



A A 2 



ON THE ORIGIN OF THE GYPSIES. 

main, that they were the Indians brought away as slaves from 
Hindostan, in such multitudes, by Timur; and who, during the po- 
verty and confusion* caused by the Emperor Calil's folly, migrated to 
Europe : many of them stealing the dogs, in order to procure a liveli- 
hood by the chace, in wild countries ; and by poaching, in those that 
were cultivated. 

Being of the lowest cast in their own country, and infidels in Per- 
sia, the Gypsies were probably despised and ill treated, as slaves : they 
would therefore naturally expect a better fate among any other peo- 
ple than those who they felt had so cruelly oppressed them and their 
native land. 

With regard to their having entered Europe from Egypt, as well as 
from other countries, it is very probable, that, when they had resolved 
on deserting, they looked towards Egypt in preference; from the cir- 
cumstances of the inhabitants somewhat resembling themselves, and 
the climate and religion being in many respects similar to those of In- 
dia; nor is it impossible but that, in their ignorance, (very excusable, 
as the royal pupil of Aristotle mistook the Indus for the Nilef) — 
they might imagine Egypt to be part of their native country : but, dis- 
covering their mistake, and, probably, being refused protection, they 
wandered they knew not whither. 

* " And I ordained that in every kingdom which should be conquered, the men- 
dicants of that country should be gathered together; aud that subsistence and daily 
bread should be allowed unto them; and that they should be made pensioners, and 
beg no more. And, if after they were made pensioners, they continued the prac- 
tice of asking alms, I commanded that they should be sold into foreign countries, 
or expelled from the realm; that the race of beggars might become extinct in my 
dominions." Timur's Inst. p. 361. 

f Strabo, Geog. lxv. Arrian, B. VI. Ch. I. 



ON THE ORIGIN OF THE GYPSIES. 

Many of the Gypsies appear to have fled to the mountains of Cur- 
distan, where they are called Kara-Shee, or the Black Race. Their 
persons, manners, and customs, are described at length by Sir R. K. 
Porter, who passed through a large encampment of these singular 
people*. There are many of the Gypsy-tribe at Voronetz, on the 
river Donf . The Gypsies themselves are perhaps not in the least ac- 
quainted with their own origin. 

* Porter's Travels in Georgia, Babylonia, &c. Vol. II. p. 528. 
f Rees's Encyc. " Woronetz." 



182 



CHAPTER V. 



Of Siberia. — —Described in Summer. Fertility. Wild 

animals. Magnificent scenery. Mongol sovereigns. 

Coronation of the Grand Khan Keyuc at Olougyourt. 

Invaded from China and India beyond the Ganges. Im- 
mense armies stationed on the Irtish, and battles in the Thir- 
teenth Century. Invasions of Tamerlane, Fourteenth Cen- 
tury. Tombs; Elephants' bones, golden Chess-boards and 

men, golden plates §c. found in them. Note on the Con- 
quest of Russia by Baton, grandson of Genghis. Tam- 
erlane invades Russia. His terrible battle with the Khan 

of Capschac described. 

CHAP. SlBERIA was not known to the Russians till the middle of the 

y 

^^L^/ sixteenth century. A Russian merchant named Strogonoff had esta- 
blished salt-works in the government of Archangel, and traded with 
the north-western Siberians, for the valuable furs which they brought 
to him ; and by which he acquired a considerable fortune. The Czar 
Ivan Vassilivitch II. sent some troops to endeavour to open a com- 
merce with the natives; and one of the chiefs consented to pay an 
annual tribute of a thousand sables ; but that chief being taken pri- 
soner by Kutchum Khan, a descendant of the great Genghis, and 




A Russian merchant named Si"02«-:i 



■■aketi v 



ZOOLOGY.— BOTANY.— MINERALOGY. 183 

sovereign of Sibir, there was no further intercourse till the year 1577, CHAP, 
when Timofeyef Yermak, a Don Cossack, being defeated by the <w^- Y ^- / 
Czar's troops, in the province of Cazan, retired eastward with a few 
thousands of his adherents. He crossed the Ural mountains. He dis- 
covered and attacked the Mogul monarch of Sibir, whom he defeated ; 
and Yermak gained a rich booty, in jewels, furs &c. He, after a 
while, travelled to Moscow, was favourably received by the Czar, and 
supplied with succours, with which he returned to his companions at 
Sibir : and in an action with the Moguls, he was drowned, in the year 
1584. The conquest was shortly afterwards completed by his suc- 
cessors. 

Siberia is so rich in zoology and botany, that, as Mr. Pennant ob- 
serves, the discovery of America has scarcely imparted a greater 
number of objects to the naturalist ; the mineralogy is equally fertile 
and interesting. 

In 1621, the first archbishop, whose name was Cyprian, was appointed 
to reside at Sibir*. 

About the middle of the seventeenth century, all Siberia was sub- 
jected. No known part of the earth is so cold as that country — 

" Our infant Winter sinks, 
Divested of his grandeur, should our eye, 
Astonish'd, shoot into the Frigid Zone. 
Wide roams the Russian exile. Nought around 
Strikes his sad eye, but deserts lost in snow, 
And heavy loaded groves ; and solid floods, 
That stretch athwart the solitary vast, 
Their icy horrors to the frozen main. 



Levesque Histoire de Russie; and Tooke's Hist, of Russia, Vol. I. 



INTENSE HEAT.— RAPID VEGETATION. 

Yet clierish'd there, beneath the shining waste, 
The furry nations harbour. 

Rough tenant of these shades, the shapeless bear, 
With dangling ice all horrid, stalks forlorn." — Thomson. 

Such is the general, and, perhaps, sometimes the only impression on 
the minds of many persons respecting these gigantic regions ; and as 
most travellers have passed through them, while the ground was co- 
vered with snow ; every reader is too well acquainted with the descrip- 
tion of Siberia in winter, for it to be requisite to repeat it here; but a 
space comprising a hundred and thirty degrees of longitude; and from 
the latitude of Normandy, to within fifteen degrees of the north-pole ; 
and more extensive than all Europe, must, of necessity, be very vari- 
ous in climate and productions. The following extracts, from some 
intelligent travellers, show that it is a most magnificent and abundant 
country, in very many places, and much higher in the north than is 
generally imagined. 

" The severe winters are rapidly succeeded by summers of such 
intense heat, that the Tungusians of the province of Yakutsk go al- 
most naked. Towards the frozen ocean the sun is continually above 
the horizon in that season, and the vegetables and fruits of the earth 
are extremely quick in their growth. 

The Russians are supplied with corn from the southern part of Si- 
beria, where the soil is surprisingly fertile. 

The countries east of Baikal to the river Argun are remarkably 
fruitful and pleasant*." 

At Narym (Lat 59° 5 ') there is plenty of sterlet and other fine fish, 
too numerous to mention. Near the town are a few corn-fields, and gar- 




* See Rees's Cyc. " Siberia." 



SWEDISH PRISONERS.— PLENTIFUL COUNTRY. 185 

den grounds, abounding with greens and roots. Here, says Mr. Bell, CHAP. 
I met Mr. Borlutt, a native of Flanders, who had been a major in the ^^-^—^j 
Swedish service, and was sent to this place a prisoner of war. He 
was a very ingenious gentleman, and had a particular turn for mechan- 
ics. The commandant treated him more like a friend than a prisoner ; 
which indeed was the case of most of those unfortunate gentlemen, 
whom the fate of war had sent to this country. His Czarish Majesty, 
well considering their circumstances, sent them to a plentiful country, 
where they could live at their ease till peace was restored. 

At Jenesai, the country is pleasant and fertile. On the first of 
August the barley was all reaped, and the people were cutting their 
oats. This is early so far to the north (Lat 58° 16'), and must proceed 
from the heat of the summer and the snow lying so long*." 



*' The Ostiacs, though not a civilized people, are far from being 
barbarous. A single Russian may travel among them to purchase furs 
without fear of violence. They are remarkably honest, and are punc- 
tual in bringing the tribute of furs for the Czar. Many of them are 
fair, and resemble the people of Finland. They are stout fellows: 
two of them, with their bows and arrows, a short spear, and a little 
dog, will attack the largest bear. They supplied us with plenty of 
fish, and wild fowl of various sorts, for a little tobacco and a dram of 
brandy; and they ask no more, not knowing the use of money. 

* * # # 

* Journey to Pekin from St Petersburg-, A. D. 1719, (nine thousand five hun- 
dred and sixty-seven versts, or about six thousand three hundred and seventy- 
eight British miles, by Mr. B's. route on his return). 

BB 



SHORT WINTER. — GAME. — PLEASANT LIFE. 

On the journey to Irkoutsk, says Mr. Bell, I called on General Kan- 
nifer, at Elimsk, who had been adjutant-general to Charles XII. He 
had a musk deer, of which there are many in Siberia, so tame that 
it followed him like a dog, and leaped upon the table to eat the 
crumbs. * * * Along the tall thick woody banks of the Lena, there 
is abundance of game and wild beasts. The natives of Yakutsk differ 
little from the Tungusians in person or way of life. In summer they 
make hay enough to feed their cattle in winter. * * * We arrived on 
the ice, March 14, at Balaganski, on the Angara: on each bank it is 
a fine champaign country, with tall woods, beautiful and extensive 
prospects, well peopled villages, corn fields, and fruitful plains, and 
every where great abundance of fish. The Burats were formerly sub- 
ject to a prince of the Monguls ; they are honest and sincere people, 
and have plenty of cattle : the wild goats have long thick horns, brown 
shaggy coats, and are twice the size of ours; the sheep have broad tails, 
and the mutton is excellent. For their horses, cattle, goats, and sheep, 
they make no provision of fodder: but leave them to the open fields, 
the snow being seldom deep in these parts. They have a high priest 
called Delai Lama. * * * March 17 — The heat of the sun was intense, 
and the snow suddenly disappeared: in four days we passed from a 
cold winter to a warm spring, and we quitted our sledges. The 
Burats killed some hares with arrows . 

At the falls of the Angara, and about lake Baikal, there are such 
astonishing scenes of nature as are not, I believe, to be equalled in 
the known world. On the south side of the lake, the country is very 
pleasant, the winters short, and the snow does not lie above six or 
eight weeks. There is plenty of all kinds of game, deer, bears, wolves, 
&c. The Mongols, even the prince and high priest, live constantly 
in tents, and remove as convenience requires ; which I must confess 
is a very pleasant life, in such a mild and dry climate. * * * We 



ABUNDANT AND FINE COUNTRY. 



187 



killed in these parts five large elks, four stags, twenty antelopes, some CHAP. 

y 

large bustards, a dozen roebucks, wolves, hares, &c. Siberia is an ex- ^ ~ J^, 
cellent country, and abounds with all things necessary for the use of 
man and beast. The noblest rivers in the world *, and store of such 
fine fish, as are seldom found in other countries. And as to woods 
furnished with all sorts of game and wild fowl, no country can exceed 
it. It contains no high mountains, except towards China, where are 
pleasant hills and fruitful vallies, and there are few places, where life 
might be passed more agreeably than in some parts of Siberia f . * ; * * 

In February and March, the Yakutes cut down the young pine trees, 
while the sap is rising, take off the inner bark, and dry it for their 
winter provision ; they beat it into fine powder, and boil it in milk, 
with dried and powdered fish. They shift their habitations like the 
Tobolskians. They bury their dead various ways: the most eminent 
make choice of a fine tree, as their burial spot : some of their move- 
ables are buried with them. Their language is like that of the Crimea 
and Tobolsk Tartars 

The quantity of hay collected for the cattle (near Yakutsk) is pro- 
digious §. * * * 

" The Baikal Sea, or the Holy Sea, is about four hundred miles English 
from north to south ; and in breadth, from fifteen to fifty miles ; it is 

* The Lena is live thousand versts in length, (about three thousand three hun- 
dred and thirty miles English). 

f Bell of Antermony. At Telinginsk a Mongol chief, named Taysha, a subject 
of the Czar, dined with the ambassador. He was a mer ry old man, near four score, 
but so vigorous that he mounted his horse with agility. His five sons and attend- 
ants treated him with equal respect as a king, and would not sit in his presence. 
In his youth, he had often fought against the Chinese, whom he held in great 
contempt. One of the company, who was fat, asked the chief what he should 
do to be as lean as he was? "Eat less and work more," replied the old man. 
t Strahlenberg, p. 382. 

§ Captain Cochrane, p. 443. 

B B 2 



188 BLACK SABLES.— SWEET FLOWERS.— BEAUTIFUL BIRDS. 

CHAP, surrounded with high and, mostly, bare mountains. Towards the Iat- 
x ^af^m^/ ter end of December, it is usually frozen over, and the ice breaks up 
in the beginning of May. The water is uncommonly clear. The 
lake is subject to violent storms: it abounds in fish, and contains plen- 
ty of seals §. 

" On the 10th of May 1693, we arrived at Irkutsk on the Angara; 
and found lake Baikal still frozen. On the camels we put boots shod 
for the ice. In the breaks of the ice, there are numbers of black 
seals. 

After crossing a barren mountainous country, we arrived at Nerts- 
chinsk, on the 20th, where there are grass grounds to feed their camels, 
horses, and cattle. The environs produce white and yellow lilies, red 
and white pionies of a charming scent and of several sorts; lavender, 
thyme, rosemary, and many odoriferous plants, unknown in other 
countries. There are black sables of exquisite beauty. 

We left Nertschinsk and proceeded to Mongol Tartary. From the 
river Kalar to the Jalischian mountains, the vallies are wholly covered 
with fine grass : the mountains are stocked with all sorts of herbs and 
flowers. The country abounds with large harts, roebucks, wild sheep, 
in herds of many hundreds: wild geese, ducks, turkies, (bustards ?), 
partridges. On the river Jala are fine oak and lime trees, and small 
hazel bushes covered with nuts. * * * We now reached the first 
Chinese guard. The charming banks of the river Jala, southward, is 
a perfect paradise ; beautiful pastures, silver streams, the pleasantest 
woods in the world, fine towering hills, and, for a mile and a half on 
each side, a perfect warren of wild game, harts, tigers, panthers, wild 
swine, extraordinarily beautiful partridges, the feathers of which are 
of several colours, and their tails about an ell long: they are very like 
pheasants in shape, size, and taste: they harbour in plain fields, in the 

* Tooke, Vol. I. p. 241. 



RUINS OF CARACORUM. 



189 



long grass, and in low nut bushes: in their flight they clap their CHAP, 
wings as loud as a stork. v^-vr-**. 

After four days travelling without seeing a house, we came to an 
old ruined city, encompassed with a quadrangular mud wall, a Ger- 
man mile in its whole extent. In six days we reached another old 
desolate city, called Taimingzin, fortified with a square wall. Carved 
upon the stones, there were several images of great personages or 
kings, as big as life, sitting with their feet under them: and queens 
folding their hands, with crowns upon their heads with rays or lustres, 
which seemed to hint that this tower was built by Christians. Other 
parts represent warriors with pikes, in the Chinese manner, and the 
king, bare-headed, with a sceptre in his hand: the by-standers have 
diabolical visages. The proportions of these images are so exact, that 
they look like the work of Europeans. Several heaps of bricks lay 
about, and stone statues, as big as life, of men, idols, lions, and tor- 
toises. The bulwarks were extraordinarily large and high. This 
great city had but four entrances, into which ran multitudes of hares*. 

* The number of tigers, and the quantity of game, in these parts of Tartary, 
between China and Siberia, must be prodigious. 

On the sixteenth of June, 16S9, Father Gerbillon mentions that, on the embassy 
to Nertshinsk from Pekin, they saw many thousands of wild yellow goats on the 
banks of the Kerlon. 

The tigers, says Du Halde, are surprisingly Iarg - e, of a fallow-red and striped 
with black: some are white, with black and grey stripes. The wild camels are 
so swift, that the hunters can seldom reach them with their arrows. The han-ta- 
han resembles the elk, they delight in bog-gy ground, and some we killed were 
bigger than the largest ox. 

On a party with the Emperor, Pere Verbiest saw above a thousand stags, en- 
closed in one circle. On this journey, bears, wild boars, and above sixty tigers 
were killed: a wild mule, of a yellow colour, was seen; two or three hundred 
hares, aud vast numbers of wolves and foxes were taken in one day: partridges 
rose in flights like starlings. 

The Emperor's horses, and those of the grandees, are as large and handsome as 
those of Europe. The Emperor tires eight or ten horses every day. 



190 



IMMENSITY OF GAME.— TIGERS.— BEARS. 



CELAP. The Chinese relate that many centuries past, Ungkhan, a Tartar 
v^-v-w king, governed here, but was conquered by a Chinese king # . 

On the expedition, in 1691, the Emperor's quarters contained four enclosures: 
in the quarter for the grandees, were the trumpets, drums, music, four elephants 
sumptously harnessed, and all the ensigns of imperial dignity, for the ceremony 
of receiving homage of the Kalka princes and the Grand Lama. 

On the 4th of June, we killed above fifty yellow goats: we roused a tiger; it 
took shelter on a hill in a thicket; the dogs barked around him, he sprang forth, 
the Emperor followed him closely, fired twice, and killed him. 

In September, 1692, the Emperor sent for five hundred Korchin Mongols, who 
are excellent hunters. We killed eighty-two large stags and roebucks, one stag 
weighed upwards of five hundred pounds. On the 23rd, we killed fifty stags: the 
Emperor's horse fell as he was pursuing- a roebuck, but his Majesty was not 
hurt. 

On the 25th, we pursued a bear, the Emperor pierced his flank with an arrow, 
the bear gave a dreadful roar, and endeavouring to pull out the arrow, broke it to 
pieces; his Majesty dispatched him with a half pike: he was six feet from the 
head to the root of the tail, his hair long, black, shining, and very fine. 

In June, 1696, the Emperor's troops gained a victory over the Eleuths, on the 
banks of the Kerlon : among the spoil were five thousand camels, seventy thou- 
sand sheep, &c. 

On one day in this year, the hunting party killed one thousand one hundred and 
twenty-five hares, and every day a great number of pheasants, and hares. See 
Du Halde, Vol. II. from page 254 to 360. 

The Emperor, Kam-hi, was still living, when Mr. Bell was at Pekin, with the 
ambassador IsmailofF, sent by the Czar Peter. Kam-hi was then sixty years on 
the throne, and sixty eight years of age: he still retained a sound judgment, and 
his senses were entire: he was good natured, affable, and more sprightly than 
many of his sons. The Emperor's general of the artillery assured Mr. B., and it 
was confirmed by Kam-hi himself, that gunpowder had been used by them in 
fire-works, above two thousand years; but that it was a late introduction in war. 
Mr. B. says, the fire-works outdid common fame, and far surpassed the perform- 
ances exhibited at St Petersburg by the best artists in Europe. 

* Isbrandt's Ides, in Le Bruyn, and in Harris's Voyages, Vol. II. 938. There 
can be no doubt but that these cities were Caracorum and Olougyourt. See the 
Chapter on Genghis. The Nestorians had places of worship here, and there were 
artists from Europe. With respect to the rays round the heads of the queens, 
" Genghis's flatterers had the insolence to make him pass for the Son of God, but 



CHILDREN OF THE SUN. 191 
« We reached Kara Katon, encompassed with oaken palisadoes as a CHAP, 
defence from tigers and leopards; multitudes of them, and also wild v.^^-^ 
boars and deer, harbouring in the grass and woods; so that no one 
dare travel at night. All the camels, asses, and cattle, have bells about 
their necks, to frighten the beasts. To this place the Emperor comes 
to hunt. We observed here a sort of heron with a neck and breast 
white, and the wings and tail of a bright scarlet ; the flesh firm and 
good : also another bird as big as a parrot, with a crooked bill, a tail 
an ell long, and checkered with all sorts of fine colours. We arrived 
at the boundaries on the 3d of August. 

* * * * 



On the 19th of February, 1694, the envoy set out on his return 
from Pekin. He had left a number of camels and horses at Numa, of 
which only eight hundred remained ; the rest having been killed by 
bad food: others were accordingly provided. 

The party crossed a desert marshy country, and lost eighteen 
camels in one clay in the bogs. Near the river Gan, they killed fifty 
wild deer. 

From Argun, where there is a silver mine which the people of 
Dauria and Nieuchen formerly made use of, to Nertschinsk, is ten 
days' journey on camels. This fine country is full of small rivers and 

his mother, more modest, said only, that he was the Child of the Sun. But not 
being bold enough to aver, that she was personally beloved by that glorious body, 
she pretended to derive this fabulous honour from Genghis's ninth predecessor, 
Buzengir, the root of the Mogul Emperors; whose mother, when a widow, lived a 
retired life. Being accused of a crime, (pregnancy), she was carried before the 
judge: she said, that she had not had conversation with any man; but that when 
upon her bed, a light appeared, and penetrated three times into her body. Dela 
Croix, p. 9. 



192 CEDARS. — LAKE BAIKAL.— SUBLIME SCENERY. 

CRAP, the most beautiful flowers: in the hills and vales, the grass is three 
feet high*. " On this journey many hardships were suffered from fa- 
tigue, marshes, and hunger ; and in a desert the grass was some how 
set on fire, and burnt about a dozen of the foremost row of their tents, 
with the most astonishing rapidity. Great quantities of their goods 
were consumed, and fourteen men miserably burnt. 

From the 54th to the 57th degree of latitude, and including the 
south part of Siberia, and all Dauria, the air is pretty temperate, and 
produces all manner of fruits and vegetables, and corn in abundance: 
there are few mountains, forests, or morasses; many rivers and lakes; 
all sorts of venison, wild- fowl, fish, cray-fish; and much honey and 
cattle: in short, the inhabitants are in want of nothing but winef. 

The regions of Nertshinsk present numerous forests of the pinus 
sylvestris, larch, birch, firs, and cedars j, which produce boards near 
four feet wide§. The nuts of the cedar are in such abundance, as to 
be exported to all parts of northern Siberia. 

The sublime scenery on the approach to Baikal may be considered 
as one of the noblest sights in the world; and that also upon the 
banks of the Ingoda not less delightful, when contrasted with the 
beautiful and fertile pastures every where around ||. 

There is a curious lusas naturee on the Shamane promontory of lake 

* Isbrandts Ides, in Harris, Vol. II. p. 938. See also his Travels, in Le Bruyn. 
While the envoy was at Pekin, the Emperor had four animals, which he had re- 
ceived from an island in the Eastern Sea. They were as big as ordinary horses, 
and each had two sharp horns prominent before. The missionaries had never seen 
such before. The envoy had not time to go to the Emperor's park to inspect 
them. 

t Strahlenberg, pp. 182, 354. Chappe D'Auteroche, p. 251. 

X Rees's Encyc. " Nertschinsk and Siberia." 

§ Strahlenberg, p. 346. 

|| Capt. Cochrane, pp. 405, 474, 477. 



EXTRAORDINARY ROCKS.— PORPOISES.— BIRDS OF PREY. 



193 



Baikal; namely, three rocks adjacent to each other, upwards of two CHAP, 
hundred feet in height ahove the water's level. Their tops resemble v^-y-^. 
human heads with caps on them : of the middlemost, the nose is seven 
feet in length ; in the slit of the mouth, two families of sea-gulls are 
commodiously lodged: even the eye-brows are not wanting; but there 
is no trace of an ear. The Tunguses revere these rocks as the sea- 
god Dianda, with his two subordinate deities: he is able to save 
any Tunguse from being drowned, or to cause a good draught of 
fishes. 

Fifteen hundred or two thousand porpoises (although the water is 
fresh) are annually captured, by being shot or pierced with javelins, 
through the holes in the ice: sturgeon, quab, carp, trout, pike, and 
vast quantities of the omul, are produced in the lake. 

Such numbers of birds of prey, mews, herons, gulls, &c. arrive in 
April, which feed on the omuls, (salmo migratorius ), that it is dif- 
ficult to pass along the rocks, their nests are so numerous. There 
are rein deer on the north shore ; the wild boars are silver-grey, and 
scarce. The woods are overrun with bears, which serve for food; also 
with wolves, elks, stags, roebucks, sables; ermines so numerous, that 
a contract for twenty thousand may be completed in two days; squir- 
rels, and white hares. There are many islands in this great lake ; on 
which grow pines, poplars, beech, and willows*. 

In the south part of Siberia there is a steppe, six or seven hundred 
versts long, where there are few rivers, but very fertile. One may 
ride several days through vast fields, full of cherry trees two or three 
feet high. They are prevented from growing higher by the negli- 
gence of travellers, who leave their fires burning ; and the grass, being 



* Rees's Encyc. " Baikal." 



cc 



WILD TULIPS, SWEET HERBS, TURNIPS, ASPARAGUS. — ELKS. 

long and dry, catches fire, and burns for thirty or forty versts, with 
such rapidity as to endanger the traveller. 

The cherries are red and handsome, but sour: transplanted they 
become good. There are in this forest tulips, red roses, others like 
damask roses; asparagus, larger and finer than ours; onions, marjo- 
ram, thyme, succory, sage, endive or white succory; and other flowers, 
herbs, and roots, which we with great care raise in our gardens: the 
turnip is frequently met with there. In Samoyedia, they have good 
parsnips and carrots*. 

Near the river Wytzera, they generally kill, annually, four hundred 
losses, or elks f . 

At Jenesai, (lat. 58° 30'), corn, butchers' meat, and poultry, abound. 
It is too cold for fruit, except gooseberries and strawberries. The in- 
habitants of Fugunia, farther down the river, send out ships annually 
to catch whales. 

At Shamanskoi, on the river Hay, there is a great fall or cataract, 
half a league in extent, which is terrible to behold, and is heard at the 
distance of three German leagues. The tops of the rocks that cause 
the falls are so covered with odoriferous plants and flowers, that the 
circumambient air is filled with their fragrance J. 

The Tunguses, both men and women, go naked in the summer, except 
a leathern girdle, and carry a vessel full of smoking wood, to keep off 
the insects which swarm on the river Tungusa. In winter they wear 
skins, having no use of linen or woollen. In hunting they wear the 

* Memoirs of a French Gentleman, who had served in the Russian army: ba- 
nished in the reign of Alexis, about 1670. Harris's Voyages, Vol. II. p. 483. — 
At Krasnaia Sloboda, there is abundance of asparagus of extraordinary height, and 
delicious flavour. Encyc. Brit. " Siberia." 

f Strahlenberg, p. 361. 

+ Pere Avril, p. 182. 



IMMENSITY OF WILD SHEEP — GRAND SCENERY. 195 

skin of the rein deer with the horns on ; when they glide along the CHAP, 
grass, and are sure to dispatch the game with their arrows. The me- \^>~y~**~j 
thod of the Burats is to surround a certain limit and to close in the 
game by degrees. They go on horseback, and few escape their heavy 
broad arrows. Their country swarms with fallow deer, stags, musk 
deer with tusks, rein deer, bears, wild sheep by thousands upon the 
mountains, and wolves. 

Those who buy camels of them, pay about fifty-five livres each, 
in silks, red cloth, ingots of gold or silver. Their beeves have very 
thick hair. * * *. 

Makofskoi on the Ket, abounds with heath-game, pheasants, and 
partridges: it is a pleasure to see them in flocks in a morning and 
evening, drinking on the banks of the river, where you may kill what 
number you please. There are here red and black gooseberries 
strawberries, and raspberries. We had scarcely left this village, on the 
7th of October, when it began to freeze *. 

The Ket is overshadowed with trees, and very dismal ; the banks 
abound with wild beasts, the black currants are the largest and best I 
ever ate or saw. I was told, the bears feed much on themf . 

The last stage in approaching Krasnoyarsk, is richly luxuriant 
on both sides of the Jenesai, which rolls its picturesque course over 
a rich and well cultivated soil. The vicinity may boast situations for 
the dwellings of a prince, peasant, or philosopher. The extremes of 
weather, are from 32° of heat, to 40° of frost, by Reaumur J. 

What can surpass the scene at Malaya Narimka I know not; 

* Isb. Ides. t Bell, Ch. XIII. 

+ By Fahrenheit 104° and 58° below " December 7, 1786, at Usting- Veliki, 

latitude 60° 50', the quicksilver froze to a solid mass, so as to bear beating" with a 
hammer in a warm room, several times, before any pieces flew off from it. Reau- 
mur's thermometer fell in one day, from 40° to 51°." Vide Tooke, Vol. I. p. 32. 
c c 2 



196 WILD HORSES.— FINE WILD OXEN.— STRIPED ASSES. 

CHAP, some of the loftiest granite mountains, enclosing the most luxuriant 
vallies in the world : all abandoned to wild beasts, to constitute a neu- 
tral territory*." 



The Jenesai thawed on the 8th of April, and in three weeks the 
country resumed its verdure f. These districts are so fertile, that, by 
leaving the ground fallow the third year, it continues bearing summer 
corn, and winter rye fifteen years and upwards. Winter wheats are 
not known J. 

In the woods near Tomsk are oxen with a high shoulder and flow- 
ing tail, like a horse ; not so large as the urus : there are wild asses, 
the hair waved white and brown, like a tiger ; and chesnut-coloured 
wild horses, which are not tameable, The town of Jenesai is pleasant, 
and populous. There is a market for furs of all sorts, one skin of a 
black fox being worth five hundred crowns or more. On the 1st of 
March, we saw five or six hundred hares, as white as snow. The Tun- 
guses are descended from the ancient inhabitants, and worship the 
sun and moon : they will attack the fiercest bears §. 

"At Tobolsk, we dug four feet deep without finding the earth frozen, 
and I then thrust a sword into it with the utmost ease to the hilt. It 
is certain that the ground at Tobolsk thaws entirely : this made me 
cautious of advancing facts from hearsay. The numerous mistakes 
of travellers arise from credulity, rather than from a want of truth ||." 

The country about Tobolsk is well peopled. A hundred weight of 
barley flower costs sixteen copecks, (one hundred copecks make a 

* Capt. Cochrane, pp. 152, 173. f Chappe d' Auteroche, p. 247. 

t Tooke, Vo . III. p. 268. § Bell of Antermony, pp. 212, 229. 

|| Chappe d'Auteroche. 



CEDARS.— FISH, FLESH, FOWL, WILD BEASTS, FURS. 



197 



ruble), a hog thirty-five copecks, a sturgeon six copecks, an ox six or CHAP, 
seven florins. This country produces a number of elks, stags, deer, ^•-■ v ~-**- 
hares, pheasants, partridges, and swans; besides all other sorts of 
game, cheaper than butchers' meat. 

At Samoiarski-jam, the Irtish, to the south-east, is bordered by 
lofty mountains, crowned with cedars; and the land on the other 
side, to the north-west, is low and full of pasture-grounds, where are 
great black bears, wolves, and foxes, both red and grey : some of the 
finest grey furs in all Siberia are found here. In the winter, the snow 
is sometimes a fathom deep *. 

The woods and fields about Tobolsk, are stored with the coq-bruyere, 
coq-limoge, gelinots, ptarmigans, partridges, woodcocks, snipes; and 
no country in the world can produce such numbers and variety of 
water fowl: they are so numerous that three or four hundred may be 
caught in a night, by placing nets in the openings between two rivu- 
lets, at a hole cut through the coppice, and lighting a small fire. 

There are lynxes, ermines, sables, martins, otters, elks; incredible 
numbers of hares, bears, and deer of all kinds: the greatest abundance 
of fish, wheat, rye, barley, oats, &c. f . 

" I hired a meadow eight versts from Tobolsk, for six grosses, 
(a gross is two-pence), and, for that sum and the labour, I procur- 
ed five hay stacks, each containing twenty-two waggon loads for two 
horses J-." 

The view of the country in the neighbourhood of Tobolsk is really 
sublime; and, notwithstanding its surrounding but distant deserts, is 
a very enviable retreat §. 

At Tomsk, there are magazines of rich and valuable commodities, 
brought thither by all the various nations inhabiting the heart of Asia, 

* Isb. Ides. + Bell of Antermony, p. 191; and Isb. Ides. 

t Strahlenberg, p. 360. § Captain Cochrane, p. 1 18. 



198 



A TARTAR DWELLING DESCRIBED. 



CHAP, and with whom no other nations of Europe have intercourse : thither, 
*i*~v->**~ ) and to Tobolsk, are brought the manufactures of China, Corea, and 
all the nations to the north, or north-east of the river Amoor *. 



The Tartars at Tobolsk live mostly on the hill. Along the banks 
of the river are several large Tartar streets occupied by the ancient 
inhabitants. They enjoy the free exercise of their religion, and the 
privileges of trade. Their houses are very cleanly, they are courteous 
and honest. January 9, 1720, we lodged in a Tartar hut, (near Tara) : 
we warmed ourselves at a good fire on the hearth : they use no stoves 
as the Russians do. They dress their victuals in an iron kettle, and 
are very neat and cleanly both in their persons and houses. The 
walls of the houses are built with beams of wood and moss, the roofs 
are raised. A square hole is cut out, and a piece of ice (which is now 
and then renewed) is formed to fit the place exactly, which lets in a 
good light. In one end of the apartment, is a bench eighteen inches 
high and six feet broad, covered with mats or skins of wild beasts, 
upon which the family sit by day and sleep by night. 

The Tartars of the Baraba are poor and miserable, and are obliged 
to pay a tribute of furs and skins of wild beasts both to the Czar and 
to the Kontaysha of the Calmucs, who both consider them as sub- 
jects. " Considering the extent of Siberia, and the many advantages 
it possesses, I am of opinion that it is sufficient to contain all the na- 
tions in Europe, where they might enjoy a more comfortable life than 
many of them do at present f ." 

* Russian Discoveries. Harris's Voyages, Vol. II. p. 1033. 

t Bell's Journey to Pekin, Ch. II. and XIV. with respect to the window, 
Strahlenberg says, p. 454 — "Windows, throughout all Siberia, are made of isin- 
glass, called in Latin lapis specularis, of which there are two sorts : the white and 
the brown; and they are both found in Russia and Siberia in great plenty." 
(Mica is meant, Isinglass-stone was a name given to that substance. The other 
Isinglass, ichthyocolla, is made from the Beluga and Sturgeon). 



199 



CHAP. 
V. 

CONQUEST OF SIBERIA BY THE MONGOLS. 

Genghis Khan gave the sovereignty of the empire of Capschac to A.D. 1211. 
his eldest son, Touschi Khan. This division was bounded on the 
south by the Caspian Sea and the Palus Mseotis ; on the east by the 
river Irtish; on the west by the Don, including the Crimea; and on 
the north by Kazan up to the Arctic Sea*. 

Baton Khan succeeded his father, Touschi, who died in 1226. He A.D. 1226. 
built the town of Serai on the Volga, and made it his residence. 

Batou invaded Russia, and reduced that country: appointing vice- a.D. 1240. 
roys every where, without expelling the Russian princes. 

Sheibani Khan, brother of Batou, with fifteen thousand families, a.D. 1242. 
was sent to the north, and settled at Tiumin on the river Tura, which 
they named Genghidin, in honour of the great conqueror. They 
afterwards removed about a hundred and seventy miles north-east, 
and founded the city of Isker, or Sibir, sixteen miles from Tobolsk, 
on the Irtish ; their boundaries being the rivers Isset and Tavda f . 
Sheibani had possessions also, by inheritance, on the river Yaik 
or Ural, where Batou founded the Golden Horde: and vestiges of 
Saratchick are still visible J. 

Kazan was built by a son of Batou, who resided there. (The A.D. 1257. 
khans of Kazan became independent in 1441.) Kasimof on the Oka 

* Petis de la Croix, p. 387. Abul Ghazi, Vol. II. 576. 

f The Tartars gave the name of Tura to the city and all Siberia, and call them 
so to this day. Sibir (whence Siberia) is probably the Russian word north. See 
Strahlenberg, p. 452. 

+ Strahlenberg, p. 266. Tooke, Ch. II. p. 61. Gibbon, Ch.LXIV. Levesque, 
Vol. VII. pp. 192, 195, 242. De Guines, Vol. IV. p. 446. 



200 IMMENSE INVASION FROM CHINA. 

was the court residence of a khan: there are remains of a palace, 
lofty tower, mausoleum, &c. *. 

Old Astrachan, Tsaritzin, and Bolgar, below the mouth of the 
Kama, shew remains of large and magnificent cities f . 



CENTRAL SIBERIA. 

Kaidu, great grand-son of Genghis, and nephew of the Grand Khan 
Kublai, governed the countries about Almalegh: he gained the chiefs 
of the hordes that encamp north-north-east of Turfan, and those north 
of the Altai mountains. He rebelled against Kublai ; who, being engag- 
in China, gave the command of the army to Chetien-tche : many lords 
from the countries of the Igours, Persia, Arabia, Capschac, and some 
Tartar chiefs, accompanied him, with three hundred thousand men, 
who met at Siang-yang. Omar, an Arab, with a corps of western 
troops, encamped at Tchingtou, to make the attack from all sides ; and 
Kaidu was defeated. 

In 1276, Kaidu was, with his brother, at the head of one hundred 
thousand troops ; and, having increased in power, he maintained his in- 
dependence. This king and his armies, at all times, remain in the 
open plains, vallies, and woods, with which this region abounds. They 
subsist on flesh and milk, and his subjects pay implicit obedience to 
their king. They possess vast herds of horses, cows, sheep, and other 
domestic animals. In these districts are found bears of a white colour, 
and about twenty spans in length ; foxes entirely black ; wild asses, and 



* Kasimof on the Oka was a populous Tartar town with mosques, in 1685. — 
Father Avril, p. 128. 

t Tooke, Vol. II. p. 48. Levesque, Vol. VII. p. 191. 



BATTLES ON THE IRTISH. 



201 



zibelins; besides martins, and swarms of Pharaoh's mice. They CHAP, 
travel in sledges without wheels, and drawn by dogs *. 

Kaidu concerted a rebellion, against the Grand Khan Kublai, with A.D. 1286. 
Nayan, a near relation of both parties, to whose ancestor, Belgatai, 
brother of Genghis, a considerable district in Leao-tong had been giv- 
en: but Nayan was defeated, and put to death by Kublai, before Kai- 
du could join him. (See the Chapter on Kublai). 

Kaidu was entirely routed on the banks of the Irtish, by Timur A.D. 1289. 
Kaan, grandson of Kublai, and viceroy of Yunan, Burmah, Ban- 
galla, &c. but, after that commander's departure, Kaidu gained over the 
hordes to the north and north-west of Caracorum. 

Kublai died in 1294, and his grandson Timur Kaan succeeded him 
as Grand Khan. In 1297, Kaidu was driven northward; and the next A.D. 1297. 
year, a great victory was gained over him near the river Irtish. 

During the whole reign of Timur Kaan, (he died in 1307), there A.D. 1298. 
was scarcely any other war than this in Tartary. Kaidu disputed the 
empire for thirty years ; which he pretended Kublai had usurped. Timur 
Kaan was always obliged to keep numerous armies in these countries. 

Caichan, nephew of the Grand Khan, fought several bloody battles 
with the rebels between Caracorum and the river Tamir. 

Kaidu, after having lost his whole army, died of vexation. Tou-oua, A.D. 1301. 
his brother, was dangerously wounded, and submitted. Thus ended 
this long warf. 

* See Marsden's Marco Polo, B.II. Ch.I. B.IH. Ch.XLIV. AndDeGuines, 
Vol. IV. p. 151. 

t Marco Polo, and notes, in B. II. Ch. I. and B. III. Ch. XLIV. Since the 
year 1272 the Grand Khan employed elephants in his wars. In the chapter on 
Kublai, it is shewn, that the khan was in a castle borne by four elephants, in the 
action with Nayan: and that he possessed thousands of those animals. During 
the wars with Kaidu, as there were no other hostilities, and as Kaidu disputed the 
JEmjrire, there can be no doubt but great numbers of elephants were present in 
these wars on the Irtish, and in driving Kaidu to the north. There are, in the 
neigbourhood of Tomsk, a vast number of rich tombs ; and these wars of Timur- 



DD 



202 



IMPORTANT POSITION.— ALTAI MOUNTAINS. 



CHAP. [This position of Kaidu's appears always to have been an important 
<~y~*S one, as the head quarters of the Asiatic Tartars. 

Justin sent an embassy to the Khakan or Emperor, who resided in 
a fine vale near the sources of the Irtish*. 

The appellative Turks was borne about A.D. 515, (how much earli- 
er is not known,) only by that part of the nation which had long had 
its habitation in the Altai mountains along the Irtish, where that peo- 
ple became so powerful as to give disturbance to China and Persia, 
In the same century the state split into petty Khanates, and at length 
became a prey to the victorious Arabs f. 

Kaan must have been those which caused many of them, for the following rea- 
sons: I. Many of the tombs, being very rich, and about four hundred years old, 
when discovered. II. Elephants' bones being found in them. III. The Chinese 
wishing to visit them as those of their ancestors, (as will be shown). IV. The ar- 
mies having marched from Yunan and Bangalla, Timur Kaan being governor of 
those provinces before he was Emperor of China and Grand Khan of theMog-uIs. 

The Siberians attribute the tombs to the wars of Genghis Khan, and Timur Bee 
(Tamerlane). The Monarch of China was also named Timur, and was the great 
great grandson of Genghis. This appears to clear up satisfactorily several inter- 
esting points in the history of Siberia, probably not now known in that country, 
and possibly not even in Russia. 

It may also be particularly remarked, that Assam was under Timur Kaan's 
viceroyalty; and that it is the custom of the Assamese to bury an elephant with 
the corpse of a great man . 

Mangalu, uncle of Timur Kaan, was at this time viceroy of Shen-si, residing at 
Singan, the capital, and the city where army equipments are made. Singan was 
the capital of China when the Emperor was the ally of Afrasiab, against the Per- 
sian Roostum, and was captured. See Chapter III. 

The description, character, and customs, of these invaders of Siberia, from the 
earliest times, to the thirty years war under Kublai and Timur Kaan, correspond 
so truly with the tombs, and their contents, as to leave no doubt of their origin. 

These Indian countries have probably supplied the buffaloes, fossil remains 
of which have been found in several places in Siberia, as those animals are used 
by the Chinese to draw carts. See Van Braam's Embassy, Journal, March 25, 1795. 

* Sir Win. Jones, Vol. I. p. 63, Discourse V. See also au embassy from the 
Roman Emperor at Constantinople to this same place, in Ch. III. of this Vol. 

f Tooke, Vol. II. p. 37. " In the year 1720, when some Russian regiments went 



AFRASIAB.— EMPEROR OF CHINA.— OGUS KHAN. 



The country of the Getes, and Turquestan, was included in Touschi's CHAP, 
sovereignity of Capschac*. 

Algu, grandson of Zagatai, had for his share all the country lying 
between the Altai mountains and the river Amu, (Oxus)f. 

It is the supposed country of Afrasiab, who, with his ally the Em- 
peror of China, who fought upon a white elephant, were beaten by the 
Persian hero, Roostum. The Emperor of China was made prisoner, 
and the territories were divided by Roostum among the Persian 
leaders J. 

It appears certain that this was part of the country of Ogus Khan : 
a name as famous in the east, as that of Alexander or Caesar in the 
west : he conquered Kitai, Cashmere, and many other countries. He 
lived above a hundred years §. 

from the city of Tobolsk, up the river Irtish, they found there many antiquities, 
and temples of idols. The Tobolskian Tartars and Russians say, that from this 
river, farther towards the west, south, and south-west from the city of Tobolsk, be- 
tween the sources of the rivers Tobol and Ischim ; parts which few people fre- 
quented, there were to be found g reat numbers of images, cut in stone, of men and 
beasts: and that the ruins of several cities were discernible in those deserts. 

The mountains of Ulug-tau and Kitzig-tau, also called Arr-tag and Kar-tag, lie 
between the said rivers; on the first of which, Tamerlane, when there with his ar- 
my, erected obelisks: and near which place the great Ogus Khan had his resi- 
dence." Vide Strahlenberg, p. 4. 

* De la Croix, p. 387. f Abul Ghazi, p. 1G3. 

$ Sir John Malcolm's History of Persia, Vol. I. pp. 46 and 124. 

§ Strahlenberg, pp. 4, and 136 to 141. " About six hundred and fifty-seven 
years before Christ, (this was the supposed epoch of Ogus), says Du Halde, a 
prince of Shen-si revolted ; but the Emperor Syang-Vang soon defeated him, by 
the help of an army of Tartars, whom he had brought over to his interest by mar- 
rying the daughter of their chief. 

Tsi, the king' of Shen-si, died ; and the Emperor, freed from his fears, divor- 
ced his Tartar spouse, under pretence that she was a stranger, whom he had mar- 
ried for political reasons. The chief of the Tartars resolved on revenge. Sho- 
tay, the Emperor's son, was a discontented prince. The Tartar promised to make 
him Emperor, if he would join him; which he did. They marched to the capital, 

DD 2 



204 TAMERLANE INVADES SIBERIA. 

CHAP. The Altai, or golden mountains, are said to be so called from their 
v — *>- v —w' containing gold mines, and having, in the neighbouring plains, the 
finest pastures in the world. In the year 1719, the Kontaish of the 
Calmucs could bring into the field a hundred thousand excellent ca- 
valry. The Calmucs live always in tents, as anciently: and had re- 
cently beaten an invading army of three hundred thousand Chinese. 
Bell of Antermony)/] 
A.D. 1389. We now return to the more immediate object of these notes. From 
1359 to 1389, the King of the Getes* had been invading the empire 
of Zagatai: and Tamerlane had invaded his country five or six 
times. In the latter year, Tocatmich, or Toctamich, Khan of Caps- 
chac, descended from Touschi, eldest son of Genghis f, having insulted 
Timur, it was necessary to revenge the indignity; but Timur dared not 
leave so powerful a prince in the north, during the absence of his army. 
He therefore resolved in person to invade Mogolistan, the country of 
Prince Ancatoura, and of Kezer Coja Aglen, descended from Zagatai, 
Emperor of the Moguls and King of Gete %. 

Timur, with his army and the troops of his household, departed from 
Alcouchoun, in Capschac, and passed by Bouri Bachi, thence to To- 
palic Carac, and ascended the mountain Ournac, or Ournac Lornac§. 

the Emperor fled, and Sho-tay was proclaimed. The Emperor having- implored, 
and received succour, besieged the Metropolis, which surrendered. His son was 
put to death, and the Tartars were vanquished." Du Halde, Vol. I. p. 168. 

* What is now called Siberia, and the Calmuc country, are named Gete, or Ge- 
ta, and Mogolistan, in Timur Bee's wars. 

t See Chapter IV. 

% Sherefeddin, Vol.1, p. 325. Kezer was grandson to Togluc Timur: see Abul 
Ghazi, Vol. II. p. 531 ; and Togluc was twenty-fifth successor to Zagatai: see She- 
refeddin, Vol. I. p. 18, note 4. The capitals of these sovereigns were Sibir, near 
Tobolsk; and Tontoura, near Tomsk. See Strahlenberg, p. 266. Levesque, 
Vol. VII. p. 195. 

§ A note says, this was the residence of Ogus. 



DEFEAT OF THE PRINCE OF SIBIR. 

He regulated his cavalry at the rate of two horses to each man. He 
reached Aiker Souri, at the foot of Ournac. They were obliged to dig 
wells for two or three days: but God provided for so great a multi- 
tude; for. though it was the midst of summer, there was in the desert 
an extensive meadow covered with ice and snow; wherewith all the 
army, the horses, and cattle, quenched their thirst. Giving thanks to 
God, they departed*, and encamped at Togrul Otlac, traversed the 
whole plain, and caught some wild asses : they kept only the fattest. 
At length the army arrived at the plain of Oulanyarlic, and encamped. 
Here they perceived a thousand horse belonging to Ancatoura: they 
were vigorously attacked, and fled. One man was seized. From the 
information gained, Timur marched with all expedition till he arrived 
at Aiokuz, and encamped. In a council with his sons, the generals, 
princes, and lords, it was resolved to divide the army and seek the 
enemy by two different routes. Mirza Omar Cheik was sent one way t 
and Timur took the road to Coui Meragh, a famous well, and other 
places, and came to Caragoutchour, a temple of the Moguls. In the 
mean time Mirza Omar Cheik exterminated all he met with, and at 
last came up with Ancatoura at Coubrac. A vigorous battle ensued, 
Ancatoura was defeated, and fled: all his beautiful daughters fell into 
the hands of the conqueror; also great numbers of cattle, and much 
spoil. 

The illustrious mirza joined his father, Timur, at Actadictor. Omar 
was sent on another expedition, and acquitted himself heroically. — 
The whole army now encamped at Caragoutchour; and the booty was 
divided among the officers and soldiers. Timur staid at this place 
long enough to fatten his horses. He sent two commanders, with 

* Sherefeddin, Vol 1. p. 326. The desert which Timur passed over, was pro- 
bably the Steppe of Issim. 



206 



WAR ON THE BANKS OF THE IRTISH. 



CHAP, thirty thousand horse towards Artish, or Irtish, in lat. 56° 40', in 
■■^-yW search of the enemy. They marched day and night. Arriving at the 
river Irtish, which runs through all the country of the Getes and Mo- 
golistan, into the Oby, half the army marched along the banks, others 
entered the isles. They slew numbers, and returned to the royal camp 
with the prisoners and the spoil. 



Timur having destroyed those who opposed him, sent the captives 
in chains, and the spoil, to Samarcand. He then passed the great de- 
sert*, and arrived at Aimal Goujou; and lodged in the palace of 
Serai Ourdam, with a pompous retinue, and the greatest magni- 
ficence. 

Timur held a council with the princes and lords of the empire; and 
resolved that the army should be divided into several bodies; to sur- 
round the Getes in their usual dwelling places, and to pursue those 
who had retired to Mogolistan. The officers wrote memoirs of the 
roads and different passages of all these quarters; and copies were 
delivered to the different princes and generals ; and a guide for each 
army. The country of Yulduz was ordered to be the rendezvous of 
all the commanders. 

Mirza Omar Cheik led the troops of Andecan. He made inroads 
to the right and left of the march marked out for him; put all his 
enemies to the sword, and pillaged every thing in his way. He crossed 
the mountain Doubechin Andour, and arrived at Cara Coja, three 
months' journey, by the caravan, from Samarcand. 

Another body of thirty thousand cavalry, well equipped, under the 
Emir Gehanca, marched to Cara Art, and Chourougluc, in Mogolistan, 
slaying and plundering all the Getes they met. 



* This was the Barabintzian desert. 



TAMERLANE'S TROOPS DEFEATED. 



207 



Osman Abbas, with twenty thousand, passed by Saghizgan and Ge- CHAP, 
veyar, treating the inhabitants in the same manner. v^-v*-*. 

Codadad Husseini, with twenty thousand, arrived at Bicout, where 
they met the hords of Boulgagi and Ilker. The battle was bloody, 
and lasted twenty-four hours: at length, sword in hand, Timur's 
troops were victorious. 

Timur himself began his march with his guards and household 
troops: he took the road of Oluc Coul; he met the Boulgagis who 
had escaped from the battle; they were put to the sword, at the first 
onset. 

The Emperor had left many emirs and troops in western Turquestan, 
between Gete and Capschac, whom he ordered to invade the country 
of the Moguls, and to destroy the Getes. They obeyed. After many 
marches, they came to Molzoredon, where they met the King of Mo- 
golistan*, Keser Coja Aglen, at the head of a great army. . 

The Emirs judged it improper to attack him on horseback, but they 
dismounted, and tied their horses' bridles to their belts. There was 
fighting for forty-eight hours ; which ended in a treaty with Kezer 
Coja Aglen; and the emirs returned to the rendezvous at Yulduz. 
Chah Melic Turcan thought it advisable to fly, and join Timur at Kei- 
tou, near the Irtish. He gave the Emperor an account of the battle, 
and every thing remarkable in it f . Upon this news, Timur marched, 
joined the toman of Sultan Mahmoud Khan, and, with expedition, ar- 
rived at Yulduz ; where the emirs who had made the peace, kissed 
the royal carpet. His Majesty chose the bravest of his army; and, 
leaving all his attendants, followed the track of the king, passed the great 
desert, and arriving at Tabertach, (a village dependant on Caracorum), 



* The fugitive Mongols from China, in 1369, appear to have joined the Mon- 
gol khans of Gete. Abul Ghazi, Vol. II. p. 507. 

f This lame account means, no doubt, that Timur's troops were well beaten. 



208 



TIMUR PURSUES THE KING, WHO FLEES. 



CHAP, then at Couchon Cai, where he found the enemy's array, he passed the 
v^^-*^ night there. During the darkness, the enemy fied towards the desert and 
distant places ; every regiment taking a different road, and flinging away 
their ensigns, which were black. Many of them fell in the way of Mirza 
Omar Cheik, Ali Behadur, and the Emir Gehanca; and were slain. 

Timur having passed the mountain Naizin Keutel, pursued the ene- 
my to Caratach. The king had suffered great fatigues, seen his war- 
riors, his wives, and children, slain or taken prisoners, and his country 
ruined; he therefore abandoned it, to save his life. 

The soldiers made abundance of both sexes slaves ; and the booty 
was great in horses, camels, sheep, and other beasts, &c. Timur, on 
his march back, at Jalich, divided the immense spoils; and then con- 
tinued his route to Yulduz. The emirs all returned to the same place, 
laden with booty, and with an infinite number of captives. Yulduz 
is a place of delights and pleasure. The grass in the meadows is so 
nourishing, that the leanest horses, when they have been there a week, 
become fat and strong. Poets have sung its praise ; the beauty of its 
fountains is the reason of its name, for Yulduz means the morning 
star. The Emperor had marched above a thousand leagues; and 
now resolved to return to Samarcand, being contented with his 
victories*. 

A.D. 1390. n8xt y ear Timur was necessitated to send an army into the coun- 



try of the Getes. Four emirs, with twenty thousand horse, were joined 
by five thousand more, under Mirza Omar Cheik. They marched by 
Arjatou, and arrived at Caratal, where they learned that a guard of four 
hundred men, sent forward to gain intelligence, had been nearly all killed 
by Caraereddin. They came to the field of the slain, and found a man of 
the horde Malangou yet alive, though he had eaten nothing but herbs 



* Sherefeddin, Vol. I. pp. 324 to 338. 



SIBERIA AGAIN INVADED.— RETREAT. 



209 



for forty days. He assured them that Camereddin had marched towards CHAP. 
Itchna Boutchna. They pursued that route and arrived at Keptadgi, 
where they left their baggage, and pushed on. When they arrived at 
the Irtish they found that Camereddin had crossed it, and gone to- 
wards Taoulas (in latitude 60°) into the woods where sables and 
ermines are said to be found. They saw the rafts and boats the 
enemy had built to cross the water. The emirs stayed some time at 
this place, and crossed the river to engrave their arms and red char- 
acters * with fire on the pine trees of these woods, as an assurance 
to future ages of their conquests beyond the river Irtish. Having 
been six months in these deserts, and living on hunting and wild roots, 
and the air becoming extremely cold, they returned by the banks of 
the great lake Etrach Gheul, and arrived at Samarcand f . 

The writer will now endeavour to show that the Mongols pos- 
sessed equal sovereignty over EASTERN SIBERIA, which was a 
branch of the Grand Khan's division. The north-east parts of Sibe- 
ria are named, in the map to Petis de la Croix's Life of Timur, North- 
ern Turquestan. 

" Upon leaving Caracorum and the Altai mountains, you proceed, 
in a nothern direction, through the plain of Bargu, (by Baikal Sea,) 
sixty days journey. The people live on the flesh of stags, and make 
use of them for the purpose of travelling: this plain borders on the 
ocean at its northren extremity, and the people are subjects of the 
Grand Khan. They have neither corn nor wine, the cold is excessive. 
Upon travelling forty days it is said you reach the northern ocean. 
Near to this is a mountain where vultures and peregrine falcons breed : 

* These arras and inscriptions are burnt upon the trees, or cut in the rocks, 
and are filled with red colour. See Strahlenberg, p. 346. 

f Sherefeddin, Vol. T. pp.344 to 347. This fruitless expedition was, no doubt, 
against the prince reigning at Sibir. The names differ so entirely from the mo- 
dern geography, that it is impossible to trace Timur's marches, with any accuracy. 



E E 



210 



ISLAND IN THE ARCTIC SEA. — FALCONS. 



CHAP, neither men nor cattle are found there ; and of birds only the bargelak 
v^^Y^^ and the falcons to which they serve for food. When the Grand 
Khan is desirous to have peregrine falcons, he procures them at this 
place. 

There is also an island off the coast, where ger-falcons breed, and 
are found in such numbers that his majesty may be supplied with as 
many of them as he pleases *." (See the Chapter on Kublai for the vast 
number of these birds he possessed). 

" Jouini, or Aladdin Atamulc, who died in 1284, composed his 
history in 1260. He observes, that Genghis Khan's territories lay 
much to the north and east of the desert side of Tartary: and was of 
so great extent, that the true country of the Moguls was eight months 
journey. That the several sorts of people that inhabit it, were divid- 
ed into tribes, called Moguls : and that among all these tribes there 
was but one that was civilized, which was that called Niron Caiat, of 
which Genghis became sovereign by the death of his father Pisoucaf ." 
A.D. 1245. * * * "In the same country with Burin and Cadou, grandsons of 
Genghis, (says Carpini) Shiebani, the brother of Batou, remaineth (at 
Sibir). We were travelling through it from the feast of the Ascen- 
sion, till eight days before the feast of St. John the Baptist, (i. e. by 
the Roman calendar, near three months) ; when we entered the coun- 
try of the black Cathayans %, where the Emperor had built a house; 

* Marco Polo, p. 220, and the notes; where it will be seen that Polo had re- 
ceived very accurate accounts of the country, for his text implies that the people 
rode upon the reindeer, which is proved to be true by Mr. Adams; who found 
ruins of ancient forts, near the mouth of the Lena, and also mutilated remains, " de 
figures grotesques." See the Chap, on the Lena Elephant. It is only in summer that 
people visit those excessively cold parts. For a description of them see Chap. VI. 

t P. de la Croix, p. 427. 

% That is, Cara Cathay, or Black Cathay: so named from the colour of the rich 
soil, to distinguish it from the desert. Cara Cathay, on De PIsle's map to the Life 
of Genghis Khan, is from north Lat. 50° to 55° north-east of Caracorum. 



SUMPTUOUS COURT OF KEYUC OR CUYNE, 211 

his deputy ordered some drink for us, and a dance by his two sons. CHAP. 
Departing hence, we found a small sea, very stormy; along its shores 
we travelled many days ; there are many islands in it; and we passed, 
leaving it on our left hand *. 

In this land dwelleth Ordu, the most ancient of the Tartarian dukes. 
It is the orda, or court of his father, which he inhabiteth : and one of 
his wives beareth rule there f; for it is a custom not to dissolve 
the courts of princes, but to appoint women, on whom gifts are be- 
stowed as on their lords. And so we arrived at the first court of the 
Emperor: we could not enter the orda, not having seen the Em- 
peror. 

Departing, we entered the land of the Naimans, full of mountains, 
and very cold. Then we came into Mongolia, and in some weeks, ar- 
rived at the court of Cuyne J. We sent him the pope's letter, and the 
message from Batou. 

After five days, we were sent to the Emperor's mother, under whom 
there was maintained a very solemn and royal court, in a fine white 
tent, large enough for two thousand persons. All the dukes were as- 
sembled, riding about the hills and dales with their trains. The first 
day they were clad in white; the second, in scarlet robes. This 
day Cuyne entered the tent. The third day the dresses were blue ; and 
the fourth rich Balderkin cloth §. There were many that had pure gold 
on their trappings, worth twenty marks. The dukes communed 
about the election of Cuyne, 

* Lake Baikal. 

f In the chapter on Genghis it is shown that he was born in this neighbourhood ; 
and also his empress Purta Cougine, the mother of the four great monarchs who 
succeeded to his vast conquests. They were therefore complete Siberians. 

X Cuyne (Keyuc is the proper name, it is probably a misprint) had removed 
the court from Caracorum to Oloughyurt in 1245. Petis de la Croix, p. 389. 

§ Cloth of gold. 

EE2 



SPLENDID CORONATION OF THE GRAND KHAN. 

Without the door stood Duke Yeroslaus of Suzdal in Russia; and 
a great many dukes of Cathay, and of the Solangi, two sons of the 
king of Georgia, ten Saracen Soldans, and an envoy from the Calif of Bag- 
dat. We were told, there were more than four thousand ambassadors 
and deputies from such as paid tribute and presented gifts. We rode 
four leagues, and arrived at a place called the Golden Orda. There 
was a tent covered with balderkin cloth, and supported by pillars 
plated with gold, fastened on with golden nails. Here Cuyne was 
placed upon the imperial throne. He was son of Octai, forty-four 
years old, of middle stature, wise, politic, and passing serious. He 
erected the flag of defiance against the Roman Empire, meaning to 
subdue the whole world. On his seal is, " God in Heaven. Cuyne 
Khan upon earth — the power of God *, The seal of the Emperor of 
all men." The gifts presented were infinite, robes of purple, horses, 
mules, &c. Five hundred carts full of gold, silver, and silk garments, 
were divided between the Emperor and his dukes, A canopy, set 
full of precious stones, was carried over the Emperor's head. *.,*;* 

The Emperor's concubine, and many of her confederates, were ex- 
ecuted, for having poisoned Octai. At the same time, the Russian 
duke Yeroslaus deceased. He had been invited by the Emperor's mo- 
ther to a feast, and, after the banquet, returning to his lodging, fell 
sick, and died in seven days. After his death, his body was of a strange 
blue colour; and it was commonly reported that the duke was poison- 
ed, that the Tartars might wholly possess his dukedom f. 

We had audience of the Emperor, and received his letter for the 

* At this very period, the popes were industrious in inculcating the maxim, that 
the bishop of Rome is the supreme lord of the universe, and that princes have no 
lawful power, that is not derived from him. Carpini was, no doubt, careful not 
to communicate these interesting pretensions to Cuyne. 

f Jarislafll. " C'est oublier que le poison est Farme du faible; et que les 
Tartares n'en avoient pas besoin." Levesque, Vol. II. p. 106. 



HORSES AND CATTLE NOT HOUSED IN WINTER. 

pope, in the Tartar and Latin languages, carefully translated, by us. 
We travelled all winter long, through deserts of snow, and arrived at 
Kiev in Russia *. 

The Yakutes of the Angara, and of the Syane mountains, were per- 
secuted by the Buriats and Mongols ; and moved to their present rude 
and inclement districts, where they are found on both sides of the Le- 
na, to the Frozen Ocean f. 

The present inhabitants of Yakutsk (the city) are supposed to be 
the descendants of the invading Mongols. One of the chiefs had a 
stud of two thousand horses, in very good condition, when M. Les- 
seps was there, though he had lost a considerable number by Commo- 
dore Billings's expedition. They pretend to ride better than any other 
nation in the world J. 

The Yakutes consist of Mongols, Tartars, and Mantchews : they are 
spread to the eastern extremity of Siberia upon the coasts of the gulf 
of Pinjinsk and on the shores of the Kovima; " on voit en eux I'homie- 
tete que peut donner la nature." They hunt in most places: on the 
borders of the Lena and Indigerska they are occupied with their fish- 
eries. In the south they have many horned cattle and horses. Those 
years, when the snow is excessive, are ruinous to the cattle and their 
owners : for horses, reindeer, and horned cattle, all seek their own 
nourishment under the snow, receiving no aid from their masters §." 

The Buriat Chief (near Lake Baikal) gave me a passport in the 
Mongolian dialect: his mother had three thousand horned cattle, ten 
thousand horses, and forty thousand sheep ||. 

* Friar John Du Piano Carpini. Hakluyt, Vol. I. pp. 66 to 71. 
f Tooke, Vol.11, p. 80. % Note in Marsden's Marco Polo, p. 747. 

§ Levesque, Vol. VII. p. 439. It appears that they might always procure hay, 
if provident. Near Olekma there are plenty of grass meadows. 
|| Capt. Cochrane, p. 476. 



214 RUINS OF MONGOL CITIES.— TOMBS. 

CHAP. The Russian Mongols inhabit the regions about the Selenga, be- 
v^-v^w 1 tween the 50th and 53rd degrees of north latitude, and the 122nd to 
the 125th longitude*. 

Para Hotun, on the Kerlon, was built by the Mongols when they 
took to the Chinese customs, under Mangu and Kublai ; it was of a 
square figure, and two leagues in circumference. The foundations 
are still to be seen (1710), with some large pieces of the wall, and two 
pyramids in ruins. There are ruins of their cities in twenty places. 
We met with but one inscription, near Holustay, in the highest of 
some marble blocks, in the Chinese character: it imported, that the 
Chinese army, under the Emperor Yong-lo, (who commenced his reign 
A.D. 1403), arrived there the 14th of May. Hence it appears that 
he did not pursue the Moguls beyond the Kerlon. He was thrice in 
quest of them, and pushed them to lat. 50° f. 

When Siberia was conquered by the Russians, in the beginning of 
the seventeenth century, the Moguls were still a free and numerous 
people, governed by their own khans ; under whose sovereignty were 
several Siberian nations J. 



MONGOL TOMBS, AND ANTIQUITIES IN SIBERIA. 

In Siberia, the southern frontier mountains, from the Tobol to the 
Jenesai, and the steppes in the middle regions of the Lena, have been 
inhabited by the Mongol Tartars: and particularly in the govern- 
ments of Ufa, Kazan, and Tobolsk. Frequent memorials are found 

* Tooke, Vol. II. p. 25. Mr. Tooke's longitude is from Ferrol; which agrees 
with other histories. 

t Du Halde. Description of Tartary, Vol. II. p. 251. 
% Tooke, Vol. II. p. 23. 



DIADEMS, COINS, &c. OF GOLD AND SILVER. 



215 



there, of their ancient grandeur, magnificence, and culture; of which CHAP, 
some are of an antiquity demonstrably of above a thousand years. ^ V 4 * 

It is no rare thing to come suddenly upon the ruins of some town, 
which, in its crumbling remains, plainly evinces the progress which 
the arts had made, among a people whom we are wont to consider as 
barbarians. Still more frequently are seen sepulchres, which, by their 
inscriptions, throw light on the history of this nation ; and, in the ves- 
sels and implements preserved in them, supply us with interesting 
proofs of its opulence, its taste, and its industry. 

In the museum at St. Petersburg, are preserved a multitude of ves- 
sels, diadems, weapons, military trophies, ornaments of dress, coins, &c. 
which have been found in the Tartarian tombs, in Siberia, and on the 
Volga. They are of gold, silver, and copper. The greatest antiquity 
of the tombs is one thousand one hundred years, the latest four 
hundred*. 

The surprising quantity of golden ornaments found in the tombs of 
Siberia, were they not evident to the sight, would exceed all belief. 

The richest of the tombs, says Muller, were made in the time of 
Genghis Khan and his immediate successors ; the most valuable being 
found on the banks of the Volga, Tobol, and Irtish. The next in va- 
lue are in the deserts of Jenesai, and the poorest near Lake Baikal. 
He supposes them all to be the work of the Mongol hordes f . 

* Tooke, Vol. II. p. 48. This remark refers to the period of the discovery of 
these tombs in the seventeenth century. As the Turks, who had elephants, and 
who in the sixth century resided at the Altai mountains, and conquered up to the 
Arctic Sea, (Gibbon. Ch. XLII. Purchas, I. 397), and, as the rebellion against 
Kublai and Timur Kaan took place at the end of the thirteenth century, and Ta- 
merlane's principal invasion was in 1389, the different epochs correspond so ac- 
curately as to leave no doubt as to the origin of these curious sepulchres. 

t Cox's Travels, Vol. III. p. 179. The reason of the poorest being- at Baikal 
is, that the Grand Khans and their families were buried near the Chinese wall. 
See map, flag 7. 



216 GOLD CHESS-BOARDS AND MEN.— NUMEROUS IDOLS OF GOLD. 

CHAP. I n the tombs of Siberia, and the deserts which border it southward, 
w-v^*-^ are found thousands of cast idols of gold, silver, copper, tin, and brass. 

I have seen, s ays Strahlenberg, some, of the finest gold, three inches 
long, in the form of minotaurs, harts, old men, and other figures ; all 
sorts of urns, trinkets, scimitars, medals of gold and silver, chess-boards 
and chess-men of gold; large golden plates, upon which the dead bodies 
have been laid, (not unlike the Bractei aurei), and clothes folded up, 
such as the corpse is dressed in. 

Some of the tombs are of earth, and raised as high as houses, and in 
such numbers, upon the plain, that, at a distance, they appear like a 
ridge of hills ; some are partly of rough hewn stones or of free stone, ob- 
long and triangular ; others of them are built entirely of stone. Col- 
onel Kanifer told me that the ambassadors of the Chinese Tartars, when 
passing the city of Jenesai, asked permission to visit the tombs of 
their ancestors, but were refused ; not improbably, because they would 
have seen that they were rifled and demolished. 

Golden medals have been dug out of a tomb not far from the Irtish, 
between the salt lake Jamischewa and the city of Omm, or Omm- 
ostrock. About twenty or thirty years ago, before the Czars of Rus- 
sia were acquainted with these matters, the governors of the cities 
Tara, Tomskoi, Crasnoyar, Batsamki, Isetskoe, and others, used to 
give leave to the inhabitants to go in caravans, to ransack the tombs, 
on condition that, of whatever they should find of gold, silver, copper, 
jewels, and other things of value, the governor should have the tenth. 
These choice antiquities were often broken and shared by weight. — 
They have dug for years, and the treasures are not exhausted. 

The graves of the poorer sort have such things of copper and brass: 
arrows of copper and iron, stirrups, large and small polished plates of 
metal, or mirrors, with characters upon them. Urns are found of dif- 
ferent sizes, some almost two feet high, and some more ; some with, and 



CASTS OF HIPPOPOTAMI. — MANUSCRIPTS. 

some without handles. Some of these graves are very deep, and pro- 
bably of great antiquity. Hawking and hunting are represented upon 
an urn dug out of a tomb at Crasnoyar*. A whole skeleton of an 
elephant was found in one of the tombs f. Bones of horses, and 
sometimes of elephants, are found in the numerous graves near Tomsk; 
also figures of deer in pure gold, an armed man on horseback, in brass, 
of no mean design and execution J ; and figures of the hippopota- 
mus §. 

The idols, minotaurs, and ancient manuscripts in the Mongolian, 
Tangut, and Calmuc characters, stamped on paper made from silk 
or cotton, and varnished blue and black, were brought from the deserts 
on each side the upper Irtish ; found in the temples and tombs. The 
letters are partly of a gold, and partly of a silver colour ||. 

After the Irtish hath run many miles through a hilly country co- 
vered with wood, it passes through a fruitful plain ; we continued on the 
right of the river, and found a regular edifice in the middle of a de- 
sert: there are seven rooms under one roof; and it is called Semi- 
palati, or the Seven Palaces. It is of brick or stone, well finished, 
and still entire. Several rooms are filled with scrolls of glazed paper, 
fairly written, some of them in gilt characters. A few have been trans- 
lated : they are supposed to be forms of prayers of the Lamas. 

Upon the hills, and in the valleys in these parts, grows the best rhu- 
barb in the world, without the least culture. 

While Mr. Bell was at Tomsk, a grave-digger told him, that once 
they found an arched vault, in which were the remains of a man, with 
a bow, arrows, lance, and other arms, lying together upon a silver table. 

* Strahlenberg, pp. 325 to 407. Bell, p. 209. See the Plate, copied from that 
in Strahlenberg. f Cox's Travels, Vol. III. p. 170. 

| Bell of Antermony, p. 209. § Rees's Cyc. " Hippopotamus." 

|| Strahlenberg, p. 325. 



GRAND PRINCE, HIS CONSORT, AND THREE SONS DESTROYED. 

On touching the body, it fell to dust. The value of the table and arms 
was very considerable*. 

CONQUEST OF RUSSIA BY THE MONGOLS. 

Genghis Khan having conquered the whole kingdom of Carisme, 
a. D. 1211. and the neighbouring countries, gave the sovereignty of Capschac, to 
his eldest son, Touschi Khanf : who dying six months before his fa- 
A.D. 1226. ther, was succeeded by his son Batou Khan. Batou Khan entered 
A. D. 1237. Russia, with six hundred thousand troops J. Rezan, Moscow, Souz- 
dal, Torjok, Vlademir§, Kozelsk, and other places were taken, plun- 
dered and burnt; most of the inhabitants being massacred, or loaded 
with fetters. Another army having reduced Kief and other places 
in the south, Batou returned to Serai, his head quarters, on the banks 
of the Sencla, a small river which runs into the Volga. Serai became 
a great city ||. 

A D 1240. M Russia, except Novogorod, was now tributary to the Mongols, 
who appointed viceroys every where, without expelling the Russian 
princes**. 

* Bell of Antermony, Ch. III. Mr. Bell gave some of the Manuscripts to Sir 
Hans Sloane. 

f Petis de la Croix, Life of Genghis, p. 105. 

t The Tartars or Mongols were not known to the Russians before the year 
1224. Tooke, Hist. Vol. I. p. 239. 

§ The Grand Prince of Russia, namedYury Vsevolodovitch, and one of his sons, 
were slain in this terrible invasion: his consort and his other two sons were con- 
sumed in the flames of the church, atVlademir. Tooke, Hist, of Russia, Vol.1. 245. 

|| Levesque, Vol. II. Michovius relates, that, in 1515, there were ruins of three 
hundred temples at Serai. Description of the Caspian in Tavernier, at the end of 
his volume. 

** Tooke, Vol. II. p. 2. 



218 



MANY TARTARS MASSACRED. 219 

Batou founded the city of Cazan. This monarch was succeeded CHAP. 

by his brother Bereke, who became a Mahomedan ; but he died before ^**-y~**J 

- AD 1256. 

he could persuade his subjects to follow his example*. 

The Mongol general Nogai, having subdued the nations on the 
north of the Black Sea, revolted, and kept those countries for himself. A.D. 1259. 
The Russians, taking advantage of this dissension, and impatient of 
their heavy chains, massacred all the Tartars in those towns, which 
had confederated for this purpose. 

The Grand Duke Alexander was commanded to appear at the horde 
with his troops: but eluding this danger, he went alone, made his A.D. 1264. 
peace with the Khan; and died a few days after he had taken leave f. 

The Grand Duke of Moscow married the sister of Usbeck Khan f : a 
grandson of Alexander Nevski, and other Russian princes, formed alii- ^ jy ig^ t 
ances with the Mongols §. 

The Russian Grand Duke Dimitri, surnamed Donskoi, vanquished A.D. 1380. 
the Khan Mamai, in a signal and bloody battle on the Don ||. 

Toctamish, or Tocatmish, was now Khan of Capschac. He had a 
very powerful army, and his fiat decided the fate of the Russian grand 
dukes. He had been placed on the throne, by the friendship of Tam- 
erlane, with whom he quarrelled, and brought on himself the ven- A.D. 1391. 
geance of that conqueror, who defeated him in a bloody and terrible 
battle, high in the north* *. Toctamish reestablished himself in his 



* Petis de la Croix, p. 387. Levesque, Vol. II. 120. 

t Levesque, Vol. II. p. 133. Mr. Tooke, Hist. Vol. I. p. 260, thinks it probable 
that he was poisoned. 

J Usbeck was descended from Genghis in the fourth degree : he was the sixth 
sovereign of Capschac, and introduced the Mahomedan religion. See Abul 
Ghazi Bahadur, Part VII. Ch. II. 

§ Levesque, Vol. II. p. 175. || Levesque, Vol. II. p. 245. 

* * For some account of this remarkable battle, in which there were more than 
eight hundred thousand combatants, see Chapter IV. in this volume. 

FF 2 



220 IMMENSE ARMIES.— BATTLE ON THE TEREK. 

CHAP, kingdom, and invaded Timur's dominions. The Emperor, being then 
y-**^ in Georgia, resolved to avenge himself, and sent his empresses and 
children to Sultania. He reviewed his army; and it is said, that, since 
the time of Genghis Khan, there had never been one so numerous, nor 
so well equipped*. All the emirs and principal commanders, on their 
knees, assured the Emperor of their fidelity. Timur marched by 
Derbend, till he found the enemy. Toctamich was encamped, and 
strongly fortified on the banks of the Terek, a few leagues from the 
Caspian Sea, with a mighty and formidable force : his regiments were 
surrounded by waggons and great bucklers, like a wall. On the 22nd 
A. D. 1395. of April, the two armies came to action. 

£The writer of these notes has purposely avoided giving long de- 
scriptions of battles ; but as this was one of the most famous, and, 
probably, near a million of combatants engaged, besides the person of 
Timur being exposed to extreme peril, the reader may find it inter- 
esting.^] 

"On the morning of the 23rd of J umaziulakher, says Sherefeddin, 
the soldiers of both armies began to move, and raised a noise like 
two oceans beating against each other, when agitated by the tempestu- 
ous wind. 

The commanders displayed their standards, and put on their hel- 
mets at the first sound of the Emperor's kettle-drums. Timur had 
formed his army into seven bodies, placing at the head those who 
had the title of Bahader: the infantry, being covered with their buck- 
lers, were placed before the cavalry. Mirza Mehemet Sultan com- 
manded the main body, which he strengthened with the bravest men 
of the army. Timur again rode before the soldiers, to see whether 
they had all their arms, which were swords, lances, clubs, bows, and 

* " And I reviewed my armies, and behold, they stood on four fursungs (about 
thirteen English miles) of ground in battle array: and I gave thanks to God." 
Timur's Institutes, p. 127. 



TAMERLANE IS SURROUNDED. 



221 



nets to catch men*. Then he mounted at the head of twenty-seven CHAP, 
chosen companies, who composed the body of reserve. The enemy 
also ranged his army, opposite Timur's, and displayed his ensigns. 

The fight began. The great shout was heard on each side ; and on 
a sudden, the air was darkened with arrows, and filled with the cries of 
dar! or ghir l that is, give and slay, hold and take. Then came a man 
from the left wing, who told Timur, that Condge Aglen, Bicyaroc Ag- 
len, Actao, Daoud Soufa (son-in-law of Toctamish), and Otourcou, were 
advanced with a considerable detachment from their right wing, to at- 
tack his left. Whereon Timur immediately marched against them 
with his reserve, and attacked them with so much fury, that they 
turned their backs and fled. One of Timur's chosen companies, pur- 
sued the enemy, till, when near their main body, they rallied, slew 
many of their pursuers, and beat back the rest as far as where Timur 
was. This created a confusion, which induced the enemy to advance, 
and they boldly attacked the Emperor, Notwithstanding his vigor- 
ous and intrepid resistance, in which he discharged all his arrows, 
broke his half-pike, and his sword, they had now hemmed him in, if 
the Emir Sheik Noureddin, resolved to sacrifice his life for his mo- 
narch's safety, had not dismounted close by him, with fifty others, who 
kept off the enemy with their arrows. Mehemed Azae, his brother 
Alicha, and Touzel Baourchi, seized three of the enemy's waggons, 
which they joined together just before Timur, to try to break the ene- 
my's ranks: Alladad came also to his Majesty's assistance, with his 
faithful company; he got off his horse, and posted himself near Nou- 
reddin. Hussein Malec Coutchin arrived with his club men, and Zi- 
rec Yacou with his : the regiment of guards, with their ensigns, and 
with the horse-tail, came up and gave the great shout: Ustoui ad- 

* No instance has been met with to explain how the Tartars caught their 
enemies. 



TERRIBLE CONFLICT.— HORRIBLE BLOODSHED. 

vanced with his company, and posted himself behind the guards. All 
these troops, having dismounted, stood their ground against the ene- 
my, whose soldiers continued their attacks, with the utmost vigour ; 
nevertheless Timur's troops did not recede, but poured in vast showers 
of arrows. 

Codadad Hussein, who conducted the vanguard of the left wing, 
advanced between Condge Aglen, who commanded the enemy's right, 
and planted himself behind Actao, who boldly faced Timur. 

In the meantime the Mirza Mehemet Sultan, with his recruits, 
marched towards the left of the Emperor: these brave men rushed 
upon the enemy, and with their scimitars and lances routed then 
right wing, and constrained Actao to flee. 

The Emir Hadgi Seifeddin, who commanded the vanguard of Timur's 
right wing, found himself more pressed; for the enemy's left, whose 
vanguard was commanded by the Emirs Aisa Bey and Bacchi Coja, 
had the advantage of this emir: they got behind him and enclosed 
him; so that, dismounting with his toman (corps of ten thousand), 
and holding his great buckler before him, as all his soldiers did like- 
wise, they put themselves in a posture to discharge their arrows, and 
defended themselves with unshaken resolution against the enemy, 
whose number continually increased. But though they fell upon our 
men with their lances, scimitars and demi-sabres, yet our soldiers did 
not cease repulsing them with their arrows; slaying the most forward ; 
till Gehanca Bahader, who came from another part of the field, seeing 
the danger Seifeddin was in, fell impetuously with his toman upon the 
enemy, who were almost conquerors : the club-men gave way on one 
side, and the lancers on the other : the attacks were sustained so vigor- 
ously, that the slaughter was truly horrible. 

When these two great emirs joined against the enemy, they assault- 
ed them with so much courage, that their left wing gave way. Mirza 



DEFEAT OF THE SOVEREIGN OF CAPSCHAC. 



223 



Roustem, son of Omar Cheik, rushed like a thunderbolt with his toman CHAP. 

V. 

upon the main body, which he put to flight after having slain several v^^-v-*^ 
of them, though so very young, to the honor of the Emperor his grand- 
father. 

Yaghlibi Behrin, a favorite and even a relation of Toctamish, wish- 
ing to distinguish himself by some great action, advanced with a troop 
of brave men, and haughtily cried out that he dared to the combat 
the most courageous of Timur's army: he even called with a loud 
voice to Osman Bahader, and told him that the place he was in was 
the field of battle, and that he expected him there. This piece of 
vanity so incensed Osman, that he instantly marched against him at the 
head of his toman : they fought hand to hand, and having broken their 
sabres, they seized their war- clubs and poignards, and grappled like 
two enraged lions. The soldiers of their tomans imitated the exam- 
ple of their chiefs : never was there a fiercer encounter; and blood 
flowed like a torrent. At length, Osman Bahader overthrew his an- 
tagonist, and fell on his troops with such fury, that he entirely defeat- 
ed them. 

All our generals in their respective posts performed their duty so 
well, that, after a long, obstinate battle, they made the enemy give 
ground, and put them in disorder. Yet we were not certain of the 
defeat till the flight of Toctamish, who shamefully turned his back, 
with the princes of his blood, (that is, of the race of Touschi, eldest 
son of Genghis Khan), the Nevians, or foreign princes, dwelling in 
the kingdom of Capschac, and the emirs and generals of his troops. 
Then all our men rallied, and, joining together, fell on the enemy, 
shouting out, Victory! Vast numbers were slain, and many of those 
who were taken alive, were afterwards hanged *. 



Lieutenant Hart of the Fourth Dragoons, nephew of the writer, in company 



224 



TAMERLANE REWARDS HIS ARMY. 



CHAP. Timur, when certain of this result ; dismounting from his horse, 
— *- Y ~'*^ humbly knelt down before God, acknowledging that through his good- 
ness alone he had gained the victory. The Emperor's sons and other 
princes fell on their knees, congratulated his majesty, and cast upon 
him gold and jewels. The monarch embraced them, and loaded them 
with praises and thanks. He distributed treasures on the most dis- 
tinguished: and presented the emir Sheik Noureddin, who had with 
so much zeal exposed his person to save his sovereign's life, with a 
horse of great price, a vest of gold brocade, a belt set with precious 
stones, and a hundred thousand dinars copeghi ; besides honorable pro- 
motion in the army *.. 



In order that every one might be contented, his majesty made also a 
general promotion of all the officers in the army f ". 

Timur, leaving the baggage and the great booty which was cap- 
tured, went with his best troops in pursuit of Toctamish; but, on his 
arrival at the Volga, finding that the fugitive monarch had crossed the 
river, Timur invested Coraitchac Aglen with the crown of Capschac, 
and the whole empire of Touschi 

The army pressed on in pursuit, northward, to Oukek, the last town 

with George Lamb, Esq. on their journey from Bombay, in 1824, passed over 
the extensive desert plain upon which this great battle was fought: it is be- 
tween Kislnr and Mosdok. The number of Tumuli which were in view, was im- 
mense: and they were visible as far as the eye could reach : tbey were of differ- 
ent sizes, but perhaps none above twenty-five feet in height. The soil was 
barren earth; and here and there some straggling - weeds, like worm-wood. 

* About thirty-three thousand pounds. A dinar copeghi is seven livres ten 
sous, French money. Sherefeddin, Vol. 11. p. 147, note. 

t Sherefeddin, B. III. Ch. L1IT. 

X Petisde la Croix, p. 389, asserts, that notwithstanding this installation, Schady 
Bee succeeded to the throne in 1395. Toctamish fled for refuge to the Duke of 
Lithuania : returned to dispute the throne, and, at last, perished in the wilds of 



Siberia. 



TAMERLANE INVADES RUSSIA. 



225 



of the dependence of Serai; and thence into the impenetrable forests CHAP, 
of Boular. The army marched on the west side of the river to the w-y^*. 
place where it had ravaged the country in 1391, which is near the 
Icy Sea. On their return, the soldiers acquired an immense plunder 
in gold, silver, pearls, rubies, furs, and several wild animals unknown 
among the Zagataians. Many young persons of both sexes were also 
brought away captive *. 

As Timur's courage was not satisfied with an enterprise till he had 
carried it to the utmost perfection, he was not content with having 
chased Toctamich from his empire and destroyed his army: he there- 
fore resolved to reduce to obedience the nations of these western fron- 
tiers. According to this generous sentiment, he sent forward the 
Emir Osman, who cut the Usbec Tartars to pieces, and pillaged their 
houses f . The toman of Actao, the Usbec, abandoned the country, 
and fixed themselves in the plains of Isra Yaca, near Natolia. 

Timur then went in person towards Grand Russia, plundering the 
cities as he went, defeating and cutting in pieces the princes and go- 
vernors, as far as the borders of Rezan, with an army of four hundred 
thousand men. 

Appearing to take the road to Moscow, which had not recovered 
from the devastations committed by Toctamich, the inhabitants of 
that unfortunate city were in despair. The Grand Duke, Vassili II. 
resolved to encounter the storm, and pitched his camp on the borders 
of the Oka J. Against Timur's mighty force there could be no hope. 

* Sherefeddin,Vol. I. p. 499. 

f The reader will recollect that these generous proceedings are described by 
a subject of Timur. 

% Sberefeddin has asserted that Timur took Moscow; and many authors have co- 
pied him : but Toctamich had plundered Moscow a few years before Timur's invasion, 
and he did not go to that city. See Levesque; and Gibbon, Vol. VI. p. 338. 



G G 



226 



CAZAN, ASTRACHAN, AND SIBIR, CONQUERED BY RUSSIA. 



CHAP. Contrary to all expectation, Timur changed his course, and turned his 
v-^-v^w' face homeward *. His troops were enriched with ingots of gold, 
silver, linen cloth woven with great neatness and skill, skins covered 
with spots, in considerable loads, the most beautiful sables, ermines, 
and other furs in such quantities as to supply the captors for their own 
and their children's lives. In Little Russia, the army took prodigious 
droves of cattle, an infinite number of colts which had not yet been 
shod, besides abundance of beautiful girls and women of all ages. 

By this campaign the power of Toctamich, and of the kingdom of 
Capschac, were considerably shaken; it was therefore a fortunate 
event for Russia. The sons of Toctamich, and other princes, reigned 
in rapid succession, and, by their dissensions, paved the way for the 
A. D. 1475. Russian conquests. Ivan III. being required by an order under the 
great seal of Akhmet, khan of the Golden Horde, to pay the accus- 
tomed tribute ; he treated the orders with contempt, and put the de- 
puty to death. The next year Akhmet entered Russia, ravaged the 
frontiers, and reached the river Oka, where he was surprised at the 
sight of a formidable army; at the discovery of which he retraced his 
steps, and no sooner reached his own territory than his troops became 
victims of the plague. 
A. D. 1562. Cazan, after a terrible siege, was taken by storm by Ivan IV. and 
the country subdued. The Russian monarch, when he entered 
Cazan, wept at the horrid sight of the heaps of the slain f . 

* Levesque, Vol. II. p. 267. 
f Jerome Bowes was sent by Queen Elizabeth, as ambassador, to Ivan, who was 
the first who took the title of Czar. To conform to the etiquette of the times, he 
remained with his hat on at the first audience. Some one represented the danger 
of such conduct, and the evils he might bring on himself by it. " I am not unac- 
quainted with them," said he ; " but I am the ambassador of a Queen, who will 
revenge any affront offered to her in the person of her minister." The Czar, far 
from being offended, presented him to the assembly. " Behold," said he, " a brave 



THE MOGULS SUBDUED BY RUSSIA. 227 

Astrachan falls; and the Tartar domination in these quarters CHAP. 

ends. **^^+~> 

A. D. 1554 

The conquest of Sibir, near Tobolsk, was effected; after having a! D. 1586.' 
been in possession of the descendants of Genghis Khan about three 
hundred and fifty years *. 

When king James's ambassador, Sir Thomas Smith, was at Mos- A.D. 1604. 
cow, in 1604, the Emperor Boris's table was served by two hundred 
noblemen in coats of gold. The prince's table was served by the 
young dukes of Cazan, Astrachan, Siberia, Tartaria, and Circassia f . 

By the middle of the seventeenth century, most part of Siberia was A.D. 1650. 
reduced; and about the year 1711 Kamtschatka was added to the 
Russian Empire. 

The Crimea, the last possession of the descendants of Genghis A.D. 1784. 
Khan, in the kingdom of Capschac and in Siberia, fell to Russia, 
about five hundred and fifty years after the conquest of those coun- 
tries by the Mongols. 

man, who has the courage to uphold the honour of his sovereign with dignity. 
Who among you would do as much for me?" — Clausen. 

* Levesque, Vol. III. f Milton's Historical Works, Vol. II. p. 147. 



GG 2 



228 



CHAPTER VI. 



Fossil remains of Elephants, Rhinoceroses, and Buffaloes, found in 

Siberia and Russia. Remarks on the Elephant found in the 

Ice at the Mouth of the Lena. Sublime Scenery. Ruins 

of Ancient Forts. Happiness of the Natives. Numerous 

Errors arising from Europeans having transferred the word 
Mammoth, the Siberian Name of the Walrus, to the Remains 
of Elephants, Whales, fyc. 

CHAP. "The celebrated Bayer conjectures, that the bones and teeth found 
_y^^_, in Siberia belonged to elephants, common in that country, during the 
wars of the Mongol monarchs with the Persians and Indians; and this 
plausible supposition is in some measure corroborated by the dis- 
covery of a whole skeleton of an elephant in one of the tombs of Si- 
beria. Pallas refutes this, by the consideration that the elephants 
employed in all the armies of India, could never have afforded the 
vast quantities of teeth which have been discovered*." 

" Many persons go from Tomsk (lat. 56° 30 ) to the graves, eight or 
ten days journey, where they dig, and find, among the ashes of the 
dead, gold, silver, brass, precious stones, armour, sword-hilts, bones of 
horses, and sometimes of elephants. It appears that many warriors must 



* Coxe's Travels, Vol. III. p. 170. 



MISTAKES ABOUT TUSKS. 

have fallen here, from the number of graves : as they have dug for 
years, and the treasures are not exhausted. The Tartars in the Ba- 
raba told me that Tamerlane, others said Genghis Khan, had many 
engagements in that country with the Calmucs *." 

" Mammoths' bones, or teeth, says Strahlenberg, are now here found 
in greater plenty than near the mouths of the Oby,Jenesai, and Lena. 
After these rivers have swollen, and have washed away a good deal of 
the lower part of the clay and sandy banks, then, only, these teeth are 
found. They are of different sizes. I have seen some above four 
Russian ells long (nine feet four inches English), and, at the thickest 
part, nine inches in diameter. They are like elephants' teeth, but some- 
what more crooked. They serve to make any thing that is required 
of ivory: but, when they have been exposed to the air, they are a little 
more yellowish and brown like cocoa-nut shells : and sometimes of a 
blackish bluef . A great many of these teeth? which are white, are car- 
ried for sale to China %. 

I have taken a good deal of pains to come at some certainty with 
respect to this mineral, if I may call it so; but I have not been able to 
obtain such an account as is capable of obviating all objections. The 
name, doubtless, has its origin from the Hebrew and Arabic, denoting 
Behemot, of which J ob speaks, Ch. XL. and which the Arabs pro- 
nounce Mehemet. 

* Bell of Antermony, p. 209. 

t See Chap. XVI. on the Walrus. The writer will, with the aid of that chap- 
ter, endeavour to elucidate this confused account of Strahlenberg's: he does not 
in his work mention the Walrus fisheries. He was thirteen years in Siberia. So 
far the above means the elephant. 

% These are all Walrus's teeth. " The Russians bring many teeth of a sort of 
Jish to Pekin; they are whiter than ivory." DuHalde, Vol. II. p.263. The read- 
er is requested to bear in mind this important distinction in the colour of the 
tusks. 



230 ORIGIN OF ERRORS ABOUT THE MAMMOTH. 

CHAP. But our commentators are not agreed what kind of animal is to be 
v^-y-w understood by Behemot. Luther, with many others, take the word to 
mean only in general a monstrous large beast; and it seems the Ara- 
bians were not at a greater certainty. It is they, doubtless, who brought 
this word into Great Tartary*, for the Ostiacks call the Mammoth 
Khosar; the Tartars call it Khir ; and though the Arabian name is 
Fylil, yet, if very large, they add the adjective Mehemodi to itf. 
These Arabs coming into Tartary, and finding there the relics of 
some monstrous great beasts, and not knowing what kind they might be, 
called these teeth Mehemot, which afterwards became a proper name 
among the Tartars, and is by the Russians corruptly pronounced 
Mammoth. (The Tartars about J enesai have many Arabic words in 
their language. Bell of Antermony, Ch. III.) Some think that Job 
meant the hippopotamus ; others, that he meant the whale. Be this as 
it will, the Russian word Mammoth certainly came from Behemot. 
Father Gregory, confessor to the princess Sophia, was many years an 

* The Arab conquests of Persia and Maverulnere, were in the seventh cen- 
tury. 

f In the Vocabularium Calmucko-Mungalicum of Strahlenberg, the word for 
an elephant is Sann or Sogo ; and we here find that the Tartars and Ostiacks do 
not call the elephant mammoth. We find (see Cb. XV.) that the Yakutes, with 
Mr. Adams, inscribed selichaeta, meaning " montagne de mammoth :" and also 
that the governor of Siberia means, by the word Behemot, the Walrus. Job's de- 
scription indicates, clearly, the hippopotamus. "He eateth grass as an ox: he 
drinketh up a river: the willows of the brook compass him about: he lieth in the 
covert of the reed and fens." The Arabs, who could not be unacquainted with 
elephants, finding ivory in Siberia, which was from an animal that was amphi- 
bious, and fed on grass or moss, would naturally think it a sort of Behemot; for 
they are acquainted with the Bible, great part of which is transcribed into the 
Koran; and among the figures found in the Tartar tombs in Siberia, the hippo- 
potamus is one of them. " There is every reason to apprehend that the morse has 
been confounded, by some travellers, with the hippopotamus." Rees's Encyc. 
" Hippopotamus." 



MAMMOTHS ARE AMPHIBIOUS. 

exile in Siberia : he told me, that formerly the name was Memoth, 
but that the Russian dialect had made the alteration to Mammoth. 

The next question, since there are so many tokens of prodigiously 
large animals found in Siberia, is of what kind they must have been. 

As to the opinion that they were amphibious creatures, which is 
currently believed bij the Siberian populace, I have always looked on 
it as a fable ; nor have I ever met with two accounts of that matter 
which were of a piece. 

The author of Das Vercenderte Russland, p. 179, says, that these 
animals were nine Russian ells long*: but an ancient painter, Reme- 
soff, who lived at Tobolsk, informed me, in the presence of Dr. 
Messerschmidt and many others, that he, and thirty more of his com- 
panions, had seen, between the cities of Tara and Tomskoi, near Lake 
Tsana, an entire skeleton of one of these creatures, thirty-six Russian 
ells long, and lying on one side: and the distance between the ribs 
was so great, that he, standing upright on the concavity of one rib, 
could not quite reach the inner surface of the opposite rib with a 
pretty long battle-axe f . To which may be added, that bones of a 
vast bigness, and grinders twenty or twenty-four pounds weight, are 
found almost all over Siberia J. 

Dr. Messerschmidt has seen the bones of a whole skeleton of a mon- 
strous size, in a ditch, between Tomskoi, and Kasnetsko, on the banks 
of the Tomber§. 

The Swedish prisoners saw a head at Tumeen, two ells and a half 
long, which the Russians reckoned one of the smallest size |j. 

* That is, twenty-one feet English, which is the length of the Walrus, 
t A whale, no doubt: but this idea seems not to have been entertained by Strah- 
lenberg or Messerschmidt. This place is eight hundred miles from the ocean. 
X These are grinders of Elephants. 

§ This is probably another whale, as Dr. M. would not have deemed elephants' 
bones monstrous. || Five feet ten inches is too large for an elephant. 



A BEAM FOUND, SIXTY-FOUR FATHOMS DEEP. 

If we look to the mighty size of a whole skeleton, and the teeth, 
and their crookedness, it is impossible they should be wrecks of ele- 
phants ever since the flood ; though I formerly thought them to be 
so : but there is no manner of proportion between them and the ske- 
leton of this huge animal *; lam therefore constrained to believe, that 
these teeth and bones are of sea animals, such as the Danes used for- 
merly to bring from Greenland and Iceland, and sell for those of uni- 
corns f. 

What may make it probable that they may be relics of the flood, is, 
that thirty years ago the whole hull of a ship, with the keel to it, was 
found in the Barabintzian Tartary, far enough (six or seven hundred 
miles) from the ocean : and a shaped oaken beam near Tobolsky, at 
sixty -iowc fathoms deep. 

Every year, near the habitations of the Lamuti and Koraeiki in the 
bay of Lama, whales and other great sea animals are carried into the 
rivers, and when the water falls, are left on the shores. Nor is it im- 
probable that, when the Oby, Jenesai, and other rivers swell in so 
extraordinary a manner, there should be such teeth or horns of Green- 
land sea animals, carried up and thrown on the banks of the rivers, 
as we have seen in the example of a sword fish J. Or it may be con- 
jectured, that the Mare Glaciate went farther into the land before the 
flood ; and, at the fall of the waters, left these creatures in the mud 
behind. 

It is observable that the mammoths' teeth are mostly found near 
the Mare Glaciale, in rivers which discharge themselves into the sea§. 

* The tusks are here attributed to the whale, 
f This means the Monodon or Narwal. 
% This also must allude to the Narwal. 

§ Although some elephants' tusks have been found in the places here alluded 
to, the remark, it is very reasonable to suppose, arises from the great number of 
walrus's tusks, found in that quarter: Strahlenberg never having mentioned that 
fishery. 



ELEPHANTS' TUSKS.— LIVING MAMMOTHS. 233 

Should any one hereafter account better for these appearances, I CHAP, 
shall willingly retract my opinion *." Strahlenberg, p. 402. \***-^>—^ 

" On the banks of the Oby, and about Surgute, a great many tusks, 
called Mammon's horns, are found. I have seen them weighing above 
one hundred pounds. The commandant had several, and gave me one 
which I presented to Sir Hans Sloane, who was of opinion that it was 
an elephant's tooth. The Tartars relate many fables of its having been 
seen alive. The Siberians in the Baraba told me, that they have seen 
the creature called Mammon, at the dawn of day, near lakes and rivers: 
hut, that on discovering them, the mammon immediately tumbles into the 
water, and never appears in the daytime. They say, it is about the 
size of a large elephant, with a monstrous large head and horns, with 
which he makes his way in marshy places, and under ground, where 
he conceals himself till night. I only mention these things as the 
reports of a superstitious and ignorant people. I have observed in 
most of the towns we passed between Tobolsk and Jenesai, many of 
these mammon's horns, like the best ivory, except in the colour, which 
was of a yellowish huef ." 

* The reader will be able to form a judgment of the effect of storms from the 
ocean, floods from the melting- of snow, and the consequent rapid changes of the 

surface in Siberia. Elephants at the mouth of the Lena, whales eight hundred 

miles inland ! 

f Bell of Antermony, Ch. XIV. It appears by this, that the natives in these 
parts call both the tusks of the elephant and the living walrus by the name of 
Mammon ; for, what they told Mr. Bell about having seen them alive, may very 
easily have been true, as walruses might visit those waters ; though it was na- 
tural for Mr. B., like Strahlenberg, to treat as ignorance the assertion that ele<* 
phants live in the rivers, he not imagining that they alluded to the walrus. This 
is the usual misunderstanding throughout. It was to be expected that numbers 
of elephants' bones might be found in these parts, where Kublai's andTimur Kaan's 
wars and invasions, sometimes of three hundred thousand troops, were carried 
on for upwards of thirty years, as is shown in Chap. V. 

HH 



REMAINS OF ELEPHANTS. 

The reader will be able to judge, by the preceding extracts, what 
confusion of ideas exists, even in Siberia, on this subject, among the 
most intelligent gentlemen who have resided there for years. The 
main facts on which the writer founds his proofs in this essay were 
either unheeded, or unknown to Europeans in that country, viz. the 
immense invasions, during the reigns of the Grand Khans, Kublai and 
Timur Kaan, from China, and India beyond the Burrampooter : and 
the vast numbers of walruses and narwhals, at the mouths of the Lena, 
Jenesai, and the Oby. 

We will now endeavour to show, that wherever bones which are 
really of the elephant have been found, they may, without any viola- 
tion of probability, be referred to the wars from the earliest times 
with China, and Tangut, which reaches to Assam; besides the connec- 
tion there may have been with Hindostan from the western frontier of 
that country, for much more than twenty centuries. 

The great number of years the descendants of Genghis Khan 
reigned in Siberia may also account for many of the remains of those 
animals, which, according to the invariable custom of the Moguls, 
were received as presents, and used for the purposes of pleasure and 
hunting. In those instances which follow, there are, probably, some 
which relate merely to reports made to Europeans by the Siberians of 
mammoth bones, (meaning walruses) ; and which the Europeans would 
erroneously conclude, meant elephants : such as in the general asser- 
tion about those described in XXVII. 



REMAINS OF ELEPHANTS. 



FOSSIL BONES FOUND IN RUSSIA AND SIBERIA. 

I. Sur un rivage de la Toura, dont les couches sont horizontals, 
je vis quelques os d'elephans: ils ont ete trouve avec des belem- 
nites et des glossopetres petrifies. (See XL.) Pallas, Vol. III. 
p. 324. 

Note The first capital of the Mongols was on the river Tura, or 

Toura, and was named Genghis Toura, two hundred and fifty-four 
versts west of Tobolsk and Sibir. — Tooke, II. 60. 

II. At Tschirikovo on the Siviaga, thirty versts from Simbersk, bones 
of elephants were found in several places. 

Note — This is in the district of Kazan, governed by Genghis's de- 
scendants. 

III. On the river Irguis, near Samara, a horn of a buffalo weighing 
more than eight pounds. 

Note The Samara runs from the Yaik, Batou's and Sheibani's ter- 
ritory, into the Volga, government of Kazan. — Levesque, Vol. VIII. 
268. (See XXXVIII. respecting buffaloes.) 

IV. At Kalmycova, on the Yaik, bones of an elephant, and the top 
of a buffalo's skull, with the horns upon it. 

Note Batou founded a Golden Horde on the Yaik : Sheibani had 

hereditary possessions there, and the vestiges of Saratchiensk are still 
visible.— Strahlenberg, 266. Tooke, II. 60. Levesque, Vol. VIII. 268. 

V. Near the Oufa the head and bones of an elephant. 
Note. ^-The Oufa is in the district of Kazan. 

VI. Near the river Iset, and the convent Dolmatof, fifty versts 
from Kamenski and Tamakoulskaiai, some elephants' bones were found 
" en fouillant une mine de fer." — (Pallas). Mammoths' bones were 

H H 2 



236 



REMAINS OF ELEPHANTS AND BUFFALOES. 



CHAP, found near the fobol, at Alacul, and Dolmatoff. — (Herman's Minera- 

VI. ' - . v 

^~y~**j logical Map). 

Note .The Iset, Dolmatoff, and the Tobol are near Tinmen, Shei- 

bani's capital. 

VII. On the borders of the great and little Souvarisch, many teeth 
and bones were found spread about, and in good preservation . 

Note This place has not been found on the map. 

VIII. Near the Ischim and Karrassoun, on the river bank, bones, 
a tusk and tooth of an elephant. 

Note. — The Ischim runs into the Irtish, less than a degree south of 
Sibir and Tobolsk. 

IX. At Tobolsk there is a very remarkably thick tusk, four ells and 
a quarter long. (A Russian ell is twenty-eight inches English). It 
was found near the river Ischim : and an enormous buffalo horn was 
brought from the country watered by the Ischim, Vagai, and 
Irtish. 

Note Sibir is on the Irtish, close to the Vagai, or Viaga, and lower 

down is the Ischim. 

X. Near Tschenolonskaia-Krasnoyar on the Irtish, bones and teeth 
of an elephant. 

Note Not found on the map. Timur Kaan's battles were, most 

of them, on the Irtish. 

XI. From Beresof, one hundred and fifty versts, and three versts 
above Kousevarzskoi-Pogort on the Oby: several elephants' bones, 
and a large buffalo's skull, were found. 

Note Beresof is north of Tobolsk, lat. 63° 56 whither the To- 

bolskians go to traffic with the Ostiacks and Vogoules. — Levesque, 
Vol. VIII. p. 283. 

XII. At north Jenesai, below Selakina, and near the Krasnoyark; a 
tooth and bones of an elephant. (See XXXIX). 



REMAINS OF A RHINOCEROS. 

XIII. At Beresofski, which runs into the Alei, teeth and bones of 
an elephant : teeth supposed to be of a buffalo, and of other animals 
unknown to me. — Pallas. (See remarks on XXXII). 

XIV. Remains of a rhinoceros were discovered forty versts above 
Simovie de Vilouiskoe, on the sands of the river, one toise from the 
water, and four toises from a high bank. The animal was 3| ells long, 

high. (Supposed to mean a Russian arshine ; twenty-eight inches 
English). It had the skin on, and was much corrupted. " I saw the 
head and feet at Irkutsk, the skin shewed its exterior organization: 
the head had all the skin on : the eye-lids were not entirely destroyed ; 
and there were many short hairs. (The above extracts are from the 
" Voyage dans 1'Asie Septentrionale," by Pallas.) (See XXXIX. and 
Chap. XVIII). 

XV. Mr. Martin has a jaw bone, several grinders, a calcined ivory 
tooth, and a rib of an elephant ; found under the surface of the soil at Le- 
vino, fifty versts from Penza, and a piece of an elephant's tooth found 
in the brook Shuksha. This fragment appears to be part of a per- 
fectly sound tooth, very crooked, and much furrowed on the outside. 
These vestiges of a former deluge are discoverable in the uppermost 
sandy and loamy strata, which are frequently intermingled with cylin- 
drical stones : and, in the deeper clayey layers, there are found the re- 
mains of marine productions: even on the heights of Penza, in sink- 
ing a well at a considerable depth, large quantities of oysters were dis- 
covered in a bed of clay. — Pallas's Southern Travels, Eng. Ed. Vol. X. 
p. 47. (See XL). 

Note — Penza is between the Volga and the Don. 

XVI. Near Katinskoi, on the Don, thirty versts from Voronetz, on 
the brink of the river, were found, in 1 784, vast numbers of bones 
of very large size, dispersed in the greatest disorder: they con- 



238 



THE DON IS THE MOGUL FRONTIER. 



CHAP, sist of teeth, tusks, jaw bones, ribs, spinal vertebrae, the os pubis, hip 

■^-ve^j bones, tibia, &c, not petrified, but somewhat decomposed Selections 

from the Gent's. Mag. Vol. II. p. 463. 

Note It will be seen that the Don was the Mogul frontier, by 

what follows. " There are high promontories on the sea shore, from 
Kersova to the mouth of the Tanais, (Don) : and at Kersova and Sol- 
daia there are forty castles. Beyond these mountains, to the north, 
there is a most beautiful wood, in a flat pleasant country, full of 
springs and rivulets. Beyond the wood, there is a mighty plain, five 
days' journey unto the end of the province, northward; and there is 
a narrow neck of land, having the sea on the east and west sides, and a 
canal from one side to the other. The Tartars drove the Comanians 
to the sea shore. 



Towards the borders of the province, there are many salt-pits in the 
lakes, where the salt becomes hard, like ice. Out of these pits Batou 
and Sartach have great revenues ; for they repair thither out of all 
Russia for salt, and for each cart-load they give two webs of cotton. 
There come ships for salt, which also pay tribute. 

The third day after we left these precincts, we found the Tartars ; 
and I thought myself in a new world : they flocked about us, and were 
very inquisitive. I answered, that we had heard that their prince, 
Sartach, had become a Christian, and that I had your Majesty's letters 
to him, and was proceeding with them ; and that, if they permitted me 
not, I would return to Batou's kinsman, Zagatai, who was in the same 
province, and to whom the Emperor of Constantinople had written to 
let me pass through his territories. (Voronetz was, probably, this 
Zagatai's government). The day following, we met the carts of Zaga- 
tai, laden with houses, and moving like a city ; they were drawn, some 
by camels, most by oxen, of which I counted twenty-two to one cart, 



TRAVELLING EQUIPAGE OF ZAGATAI. 239 

the axle of which was as thick as the mast of a ship. We were admit- CHAP. 

* VI. 
ted into Zagatai's presence, with fear and bashfulness; and I delivered 

the letter from the Emperor of Constantinople. He inquired the sub- 
ject of your Majesty's (Louis IX.) letters to Sartach. I answered, " the 
words of Christian faith." He asked what they were, and I expound- 
ed the Apostles' Creed, as well as I could, through a sorry interpreter : 
which, after he had heard, he shook his head. 

We travelled eastward, having the sea on the south, and a plain on 
the north, twenty days' journey in breadth, without tree or stone; it 
is a most excellent pasture. To the north is Russia, wasted by the 
Tartars. We now arrived at the banks of the Tanais ; it is here as broad 
as the Seine at Paris. Batou and Sartach had caused cottages to be 
built for some Russians to dwell in, to ferry over ambassadors and 
merchants. This river is the limit of the east part of Russia, seven 
hundred miles in extent, and falls into the Black Sea; and all the rivers 
we passed run into it. These Tartars remove no farther north, but 
begin to return to the south on the first of August. The two rivers, 
where we travelled, are ten days' journey from each other. 

We found Sartach within three days' journey of the Etilia, or Vol- 
ga; his court seemed very great, for he had six wives; his eldest 
son had three; every one of which hath a great house, and above two 
hundred carts. We were introduced to Sartach, and entered singing 
Salve Regina, and delivered your Majesty's letters ; which, being in- 
terpreted and heard, he permitted us to carry our vestments and 
books to our own lodging. The next morning, we were told that there 
were difficulties which Sartach dare not determine on without the ad- 
vice of his father Batou. This Sartach will not suffer himself to be 
called a Christian. 

We arrived at the court of Batou, (Serai), which, from the numerous 



ROMAN EMPEROR AND HIS ARMY LOST. 

houses and tents, appeared like a mighty city three or four leagues 
long." — Rubruquis, in Harris, Vol. 1. 556. A. D. 1253. 

Note — Voronetz, according to Rubruquis, is on the frontier of Rus- 
sia. Casimof, a Tartar Khanate is north ; the Crimea south ; Serai, 
Kazan, and Bolgar, east ; all residences of princes of the imperial blood 
of Genghis. It is very probable that there was a Khan at Voronetz, 
for the Tartars appointed viceroys at Kief and every where. — Tooke, 
Vol. II. p. 11. And Voronetz is a central position. Peter the Great 
was of opinion that the bones of the elephants found at Voronetz were 
left when Alexander the Great crossed the Don, according to some 
authors, and advanced to Kostinka. But Alexander did not cross 

the Don Vide Introduction, and also Tooke's Hist. Vol. I. p. 

398. There are many gypsies at Voronetz. — Rees's Cyc. "Woro- 
netz." 

The Romans were possibly also at the Don. " The Emperor De- 
cius posted Gallus on the banks of the Tanais, with a competent force ; 
and led in person the remainder of his army against the Scythians. 
This expedition succeeded to his utmost wish. But Gallus intrigued 
with the barbarians, and retained his post on the banks of the river : 
Decius was decoyed into a marsh, and was so assailed by missiles, 
while in the mire, that he was killed, and also his son ; nor did one of 
his army escape With life: and Gallus succeeded to the empire." — Zo- 
simus, p. 15*. 

XVII. Among the hills not far from Makofskoi, remains of mammuts 
are found also on the shores of the rivers Jenesai, Trugan, Mongamsea, 

* Gibbon, on the authority of Tillemont, says, that this fatal affair was on the 
Danube. Count Zosimus was Chancellor of the Empire, under Theodosius the 
younger, at Constantinople. 



REMAINS OF ELEPHANTS. 



241 



and Lena, even to the frozen sea. The ice. from its vast force in the CHAP. 

VI. 

spring, carries high banks before it, and breaks off the tops of hills ; ^^y^. 
when these animals, or their teeth only *, are discovered. A person I 
had with me, who had annually gone out in search of these bones, told 
me, that he and his companions had found the head of one of these crea- 
tures. The greatest part of the flesh was rotten : the teeth were plac- 
ed like those of the elephant ; they cut off a fore foot, the circumference 
being as large as the waist of an ordinary man. The bones of the 
head were somewhat red, as though they were tinctured with blood. 
The heathens of Yakuti, Tungusi, and Ostiaki, say, they mostly live 
under ground, and tell us they have often seen the earth heave up, 
when one of these beasts was upon the march, and when he was pass- 
ed, the place sinks in, and leaves a deep pit. That when they come 
unawares out of the ground, they die on smelling the air : but they 
are never seen. The old Siberians are of opinion, that there were 
elephants in this country before the flood, when the climate was 
warmer ; and that, after floating, they were washed and forced into ca- 
vities; that then the air changed to cold, and froze them. The above 
person told me, he once found two teeth that weighed four hundred 
German pounds; a great many lesser teeth are found. No one ever 
saw one of these animals, therefore, all we can say about its shape is 
conjecture. — Isbrants Ides, in Harris, II. 928. 

Note — The great many lesser teeth are of the walrus; and the 
tales told about the walrus are here confounded with the elephant. 
VideCh. XVI. of this Vol. 

XVIII. At Astrachan, a grinder was found; others are often found 
on the borders of the Yaik, encrusted with shells. (See XL.) De Lille 



* Walruses shed their tusks, elephants do not, except once, when about a year 
old. Vide Ch. XV. Walruses climb upon eminences to feed on the moss. 

II 



212 



REMAINS OF ELEPHANTS. 



CHAP, found some fragments on the borders of the Yaik.—Cuvier, p. 148, 
-^-y-^ (See the note on IV.) 

XIX. At Swijatowski, seventeen versts from St. Petersburg, in 
1775, remains of a large elephant. — Cuvier. 

Note — Presents of elephants have often been sent to St. Petersburg. 
Thamas Kouli Khan, in 1741, sent at one time fourteen, for the Em- 
peror and the great lords of the Court. — Levesque, Vol. V. p. 251. 

The writer saw an elephant at St. Petersburg. Two, he was told, 
had been sent by the sovereign of Cabul to the Emperor Paul ; one of 
them died on the journey. 

XX. Near the Volga, a large skull. — Cuvier, p. 140. 

Note — Astrachan, Serai, and Cazan, residences of Mongol Khans, 
for three hundred years, are all on the Volga. 

XXI. At Malochnye Vodi, near the Palus Mseotis, at the depth of 
forty -five feet," une portion de tete de femur, q ui annonce un individu de 
quatorze ou quinze pieds de haut. Deja Phlegon de Tralles, sur la foi 
de Theopompe de Synope, avoit parle d'un cadavre, disoit il, de vingt 
quatre coudees, mis au jour par un tremblement de terre, pres du 
Bosphore Cimmerien ; et dont on jeta les os dans le Palus Meotide." — 
Cuvier, 141. 

Note. These parts were during five hundred years frequented by 

the Mongols. The cadavre must surely be a whale. 

XXII. At Stanoi Jarks, on the banks of the Indigerska, a skull. 
J. B. Muller speaks of a tusk, the cavity of which was full of a sub- 
stance resembling curdled blood. — Cuvier, 145. See XXXIX. 

XXIII. An elephant nearly entire, and some long hairs upon it, was 
discovered by Sarytchef, on the banks of the Alaseia, beyond the In- 
digerska. 

In 1805, M. Tilasius received a bunch (faisceau) of hair pulled by 
one Patapof from the carcass of a mammoth near the shore of the 



REMAINS OF ELEPHANTS. 



243 



frozen sea. Some of the hair and a piece of the skin of this indivi- C **AP. 
dual is in the cabinet du Roi. — Cuvier, 147. (See XXXIX.) v^^-v-*^ 

XXIV. Elephants' bones have been found along the Kama, mixed 
with marine shells, by the River Irguin. And some mixed with 
rhinoceros' bones. — Cuvier. 

Note. — The Kama runs into the Volga near Kazan. The Irguin 
is not found. 

XXV. At Kazan, a thigh bone of an elephant; and near Struchoff, 
in the government of Cazan, a whole skeleton. — Cuvier, 148. (See 
the remark on XX.) 

XXVI. Pallas gives a long list of tusks, grinders, and bones of ele- 
phants and rhinoceroses sent from the borders of the Siviaga. — Cu- 
vier. 

Note The Siviaga runs into the Volga, some miles west of the 

city of Kazan. See remarks on XX. 

XXVII. The Samoyeds find many elephants' bones on the naked 
plains through which the Oby runs to the sea. — Cuvier. 

Note. In Ch. V. it is shewn, that immense armies were kept in Si- 
beria for many years to dispute tlie empire: that they were stationed 
about the Irtish, and that they drove Caidou, the rebel, in the year 
1297, further into the north. 

XVIII. An enormous heap was found at Kutschewarski on the 
Oby.— Cuvier. (See XXXIX.) 

Note This place is not on the maps which the writer has seen. 

The ruins of the Mongol town of Tontoura, near Tomsk, are on 
the Oby. 

XXIX. A grinder and some bones were procured by Pallas, near 
the mouth of the Obdorsk.— Cuvier. (See XXVII.) 

XXX. The Irtish and the Tobol, the Toura and the Isete, have, 
perhaps, afforded the greatest quantity of remains: they are found at 



244 



REMAINS OF ELEPHANTS. 



CHAP. Verkotourie, near the source of the Toura, and along the Irtish, un- 
-■-v-w der various soils, and mixed with shells. — Cuvier, 149. 

Note — These rivers are all in the very neighbourhood of the places 
where the Mongol sovereigns resided during three centuries. 

XXXI. The banks of the Ticuman, the Tom, and the Keta, furnish 
elephants' remains. — Cuvier. (See remark on XXX. and Ch. V.) 

XXXII. Remains were found on the Alei and at the foot of the 
mountain in which the Oby rises. — Cuvier. 

Note — The Alei runs into the Oby near the country of the Al- 
bintzi, who are supposed to be Mongols, two or three degrees south of 
the ruins of Tontoura, near Tomsk. — Levesque, Vol. VII. 420. 

XXXIII. "Pallas assure avoir une molaire tiree d'une minede 
la montagne de serpens, et trouvee avec des entrogues." — Cuvier, p. 



Note — Remains have also been found in the mines of Britain, and 
may have been conveyed thither by miners. There can be no reason 
to conclude that the entrochi and the tooth are coeval. 

XXXIV. Remains have often been found near Krasnoyarsk, to lat. 
70° below Selaniko. (See flag, No. 27, on the map). On the Angara. 
On the Chatang. At Irkutsk. Between the Lena and Jenesai. — 'See 
XXXIX. 

XXXV. On the banks of the Kolyma and the Anadyr, remains of 
elephants have been found. See XXXIX. 

XXXVI. The greatest quantity is found on the islands between the 
mouths of the Lena and Indigerska. The nearest island is thirty-six 
leagues in length. The whole island, (it has often been repeated) is 
formed of mammoths' bones, with horns and skulls of buffaloes, or 
some animal which resembles them, and some rhinoceroses' horns. 
Another island, five leagues farther, and twelve leagues long, furnishes 
the same bones and teeth. — Cuvier, 151. According to Pallas, there 



150. 



MAMMOTHS, BUFFALOES, UNICORNS. 24 

is scarcely a river, from the Don to the Tschutskoi Nos, in the hanks CHAP. 

VI. 

of which the bones are not abundant. And the two islands at the mouth \^~ v ~* m 
of the Indigerska seem entirely composed of these bones, and those of 
the elk, rhinoceros, and other large quadrupeds. — Rees's Addenda. 
" Mammoth." 

Note These are the paragraphs and allusions which have filled the 

world with astonishment; and history, geology, and natural history, 
with marvellous perplexity and conjecture. Instead of elephants, 
rhinoseroses, elks, and buffaloes of foreign regions having furnished 
these heaps of bones, it will be seen that they are remains of native 
animals of the places where they are found. The elephants and rhi- 
noceroses, which have been found in Siberia, have caused the con- 
fusion. Here mammoths are walruses: to prove which, the reader 
is referred to Strahlenberg, p. 402; Muschkin Puschkin in Pere 
Avril's Travels, p. 176; and to this Vol. Chap. XVI. 

Unicorns are narwhals, which are called sea-unicorns, and abound 
in that sea: they also go up the rivers .Rees' Cyc. " Unicorn." Strah- 
lenberg, p. 405. 

Elks abound in Siberia, and in the most northern parts. The Rus- 
sians call themLosh; the Siberians name them Kuyck. They are of an 
immense size; the hides are valuable, and they supply a great quanti- 
ty of food. The natives kill about four hundred annually at Wilwa, 
near the river Pytschiora, the mouth of which is in latitude 67°. — See 
Strahlenberg, p. 361. There are elks also in Nova Zembla. — Abul 
Ghazi, notes, Vol. II. p. 663. 

The horns of the animal resembling a buffalo may be the cattle of 
the country : the largest cattle of this kind are found among the Cal- 
muc Tartars. (Encyc. Brit. " Bos.") The Burat hairy bull is more like the 
Yak of Thibet and Napaul than to the ordinary cattle; and the vici- 
nity of Tangut and China may have introduced a variety of such ani- 



246 



REMAINS OF THE WALRUS. 



CHAP, mals ; besides which there are wild cattle like the urus in Siberia. 
VI. 

^-v*"*-^ These animals, and the elk, may have supplied the fishers with diet for 
many centuries. The information is derived from the walrus and nar- 
whal fishermen, who are the native Tunguses, Yakutes, and Yukagri, 
no traveller or naturalist having visited those islands. Pallas does 
not appear to have been within twenty degrees of the latitude of 
those isles, nor does he mention the Walrus fisheries ; neither do Strah- 
lenberg nor Mr. Adams. Goldsmith, in his Natural History, says, 
quantities of the hones of the walrus are found on the coasts of the 
North Sea. Do not these elucidations assist, in a most material man- 
ner, to untie this Gordian Knot? 

XXXVII. A petrified fragment was found in the sea of Aral. See 
XL. The borders of the Jaxartes produce some: the Bucharians 
bring ivory from that place. — Cuvier, 152. 



Note — There are Bucharians resident at Tobolsk, Tiumen, Tara, 
and Tourinsk, all of which are places in which the tusks of elephants 
and walruses are articles of traffic. 

XXXVIII. On the hills and in the woods, near Tomsk, is found 
the urus, exceeding in size and strength all the horned species : no 
animal is so fierce. There is in the same woods a species of oxen not 
so big as the Urus, with a high shoulder and a flowing tail like a 
horse. — Bell of Antermony, Chap. III. Of the craniums of two ani- 
mals found in Siberia, Pallas refers one to the ordinary buffalo, but 
has since attributed them to a species, natives of Thibet, named Arni. 
Cuvier proves, by osteologic comparison, that those craniums have not 
belonged to the buffalo. The other appeared to Pallas to have be- 
longed to the cape or musk ox of Canada. Cuvier shews that they 
cannot have belonged to the former, but he has not a cranium of the 
arni or musk ox, to compare with them. — Rees's Cycl. " Bones." 

Note — The buffalo's bones, found in Siberia, were probably from 



THE GRAND KHAN SENDS TO THE ARCTIC SEA. 247 

Assam, Thibet, or China; and of a kind that may never have been C ^ AP * 
known to European naturalists. They must have been very common, 
as armour was often made of buffalo hides, hardened by fire *. In 
the year 1289, Timur Kaan was Governor of Yunan and seven 
neighbouring kingdoms, Bangalla, Mien, &c. It was he who invaded 
Siberia. — See Marco Polo, p. 424, note 827. These countries, and 
Siberia itself, produce many varieties of the bos genus, some of which 
might accompany a Tartar army as beasts of burthen. " The oxen 
which draw the houses of the Mongols are the finest ornament of 
their equipages; they are extremely strong, have hair like horses, 
and that on their tails is white, and soft as silk. They are from the 
country of Tangut, and are very dear." — Petis de la Croix, p. 358. 
In addition to the above, it appears, in Van Braam's J ournal, March 25, 
1795, that buffaloes are employed by the Chinese to draw their four- 
wheeled carts ; and many may thus have been in Siberia with the 
armies. 

XXXIX. In the Chapter on Siberia, it has been shewn that the 
neighbourhood of Irkutsk, Angara, and Baikal, is the original sove- 
reignty of Genghis's family, and his birth place. The most ancient 
Tartar duke had his court there, when Carpini passed, in 1246. The 
Grand Khans sent to the mouth of the Lena, and to an island in 
the Arctic Sea, for ger-falcons and peregrine-falcons. In the chapter 
on Kublai, it appears that he kept many thousands of falconers, and 
that his elephants were made use of on all occasions, even sent to any 
distance to fetch evergreen trees, with their roots, for his gardens. 
There can be no doubt but the tribute in furs must have been great, 
to supply such numerous and rich sovereigns, and their sumptuous 
courts : and that they were collected up to the Arctic Sea, at the Oby 



Marco Polo, p. 210. 



248 



ELEPHANTS SENT AS PRESENTS. 



CHAP. an d Jenesai, as well as at the Lena, to the mouth of which the natives 
-s^v-^ were driven by the Mongols. Mongols inhabit above the river Tun- 
gouska. (Tooke, I. 265.) The peissy, some white and some dove 
colour, the size of a fox, with a thick warm fur, which is found far to 
the north of Jenesai, is much esteemed by the great men in the north 
of China. — Bell of Antermony, Ch, III. It is not in the least probable, 
that the Grand Khan, after the year 1272, did not send elephants both 
for the purposes of war, (as he always used them in his armies), and 
also for the pleasures of hunting, to his near relations, the sovereigns 
of Siberia and Capschac : possessing, as he did, thousands and receiving 
them annually in tribute*. If the British army dared meet Caesar, 
but fled at the sight of his elephant, we may judge how useful those 
animals would be in Siberia : thus, elephants may have been sent to 
every country. It is not necessary that the elephants and rhinoce- 
roses should have been sent to the mouths of the rivers : they may 
have floated from a considerable distance, and been blown into other 
rivers. 



XL. As shells and marine substances are found every where, there 
appears no good reason to conclude that they are coeval with the fossil 
bones. The Caspian, Lake Aral, and the region around, are all salt: 
which may account for marine shells adhering to some of the fossil 
bones : and also for their petrified appearance, if four or five centuries 
be not enough to petrify them. 

The reader will now be able to judge whether these heaps of bones 
in particular, so amply accounted for in Ch. XVI. but described as 

* In Chapter IV. we baveseen that Timur presented his friends with elephants. 
The Mogul Emperor, Akbar, gave presents of elephants daily. Ayeen Akbari, 
Vol. I. p. 221. Kublai's means of doing the same thing were much greater than 
Akbar's. It has ever been the custom in these countries. See Xenophon, Cyro- 
predia, B.VIII. p. 214. 



ARCTIC SEA.— HAPPINESS.— BEAUTIFUL SCENES. 

elephants &c. from the reports of the Siberians, or the Europeans in 
Siberia, may not have been walrus, narwal, whale, or other remains, 
such as we might expect to find accumulated in those very places 
after more than two thousand years that these fisheries have been 
known. 

ON THE ELEPHANT FOUND IN THE ICE AT THE 
MOUTH OF THE LENA. 

Mr. Adams set out from Yakutsk on the 7th of June, and towards 
the end of the month reached Kumak-Surka, where he was detained by 
contrary winds; this place was inhabited by forty or fifty Tunguse 
families, who were then fishing to provide the winter stock. All the 
coast was covered with scaffolding and cabanes quite filled with peo- 
ple, full of innocent gaiety, actively employed, singing while throwing 
their nets, and some dancing the charya, a dance of that country. 
" I was filled with emotions of joy," says Mr. Adams, " at these de- 
lightful scenes and so much happiness amidst the polar ice." 

There are not any islands at the mouth of the Lena, near to which 
it is narrower, more rapid, and deeper than in any part of its course*. 

The opposite side of the river is highly picturesque. The moun- 
tains present a variety of scenes which exalt the soul : their summits 
covered with snow, with an azure tint, contrast finely with the deep, 
dark, and wild vallies. The painter might in vain seek in Siberia more 
beautiful scenes than are found at Kumak-Surka, and which are cele- 
brated in the songs of the natives. 

* Monsieur Lesseps crossed this noble river at Yakutsk, on the 29th of June: 
he was four hours on the passage, in a diagonal direction, «nd estimates the width 
at two leagues. See his Journal, Vol. II. p. 289. 

K K 



249 



250 



SADDLED REIN-DEER. 



CHAP. The wind, at length, being fair, " I sent my rein-deer across the 
river," says Mr. Adams, "and followed the next morning, au lever du 
soleil, accompanied by Schumachoff, and sixteen others. The saddle 
of my rein-deer being tied only with a leather strap, and the Tunguses 
not making use of stirrups, I had several falls, and experienced pain 
and inconvenience *." 

After two days' journey over mountains, vallies, and arid plains, the 
party crossed the isthmus of Tamut, where many wild rein-deer are 
caught in the autumn, as they migrate towards Borchaya in the Icy 
Sea. On the third day, the tents were pitched, a few hundred paces 
from the mammoth. 

Towards the end of August, when the fisheries of the Lena are over, 
Schumachoff and his brethren visit the isthmus of Tamut, to hunt or 
fish. In 1799, having built a dwelling for his wife on the borders 
of lake Oncoul, il s'embarqua pour aller voir s'il ne trouveroit sur les 
cotes quelques comes de Mammouthf . Un jour il appe^ut au milieu 
des gla9ons, un bloc informe qui ne ressembloit en rien aux amas de 
bois flottant qu'on a coutume d'y trouver. II mit pied a terre, grim- 
pa sur un rocher, et observa dans toutes ses faces, cet object nouveau, 
niais il ne put reconnoitre ce que c'etoit. L'annee suivante il decouv- 

* Marco Polo had asserted that the natives of Siberia ride upon rein-deer, 
which was supposed to be a wrong- translation of an early version. This is ano- 
ther and a very remarkable proof of that traveller's extensive information, and of 
his correctness. See Marsden's M. Polo, p. 222 ; Behring's Travels ; Abul Ghazi, 
Vol. II. p. 640 ; and Lesseps's Journal, Vol. II. p. 303. The eastern part of Sibe- 
ria, in which is the Lena, was in the Grand Khan's division, and is named North- 
ern Turquestau. (De la Croix's Map, Life of Timur, Vol. II. p.426.) Mr. Adams 
found ruins of ancient forts in these parts, and also mutilated remains of grotesque 
figures. 

f By which Mr. A. no doubt understood elephants' tusks: but these are the re- 
gions where the natives range the coast in search of tusks of the walrus, as a regu- 
lar and certain subsistence; and which, as has been shewn, they name Mammoth. 



THE LENA ELEPHANT. 



'J51 



rit au merae lieu la carcasse d'une vache marine (trichechus rosmarus). CHAP. 
La masse, qu'il avoit vu autrefois, etoit plus degagee des gla^ns : ^w-y-^ 
mais il ne savoit encore ce que ce pouvoit etre. Vers la fin de 1'ete 
suivant, le flanc tout entier de l'animal et une des defenses etoient dis- 
tinctement sorties des glacons. 

A son retour aux bords du lac Oncoul, il communiqua cette de- 
couverte extraordinaire a sa femme et a quelques-uns de ses amis; 
mais leur maniere d'envisager la chose, le combla d'amertume et de 
tristesse. Les vieillards racontoient, qu'ils avoient oui dire a ieurs 
peres, qu'un monstre pareil s'etoit fait voir jadis dans la meme pres- 
qu'ile, et que toute la famille de celui qui 1'avoit apercu, avoit ete eteinte 
en tres-peu de temps. Le mamouth, per consequent, fut unanime- 
ment envisage comme un angure d'une calamite future ; et le chef Tun- 
guse en concut une si vive inquietude qu'il tomba dangereusement 
malade; mais, enfin, etant un peu convalescent, sa premiere idee fut 
le profit qu'il pouvoit avoir en vendant les defenses de cet animal, qui 
etoient d'une beaute et d'une grandeur extraordinaire. 

II donna ordre de cacher soigneusement l'endroit ou le mamouth 
se trouvoit, et d'en eloigner, sous differens pretextes, tous les etran- 
gers: chargeant en meme temps des gens affides, de veiller a ce qu'on 
n'enlevat ce tresor. 

Enfin, vers la fin de la cinquieme annee, les desirs ardens de Schu- 
machoff furent heureusement accomplis*; car la partie des glaces qui 
se trouvoit entre les terres et le mamouth, ayant fondu plus vite que 
le reste, le niveau devint pente, et cette masse enorme, poussee par 
son propre poids, vint s'echouer a la cote sur un banc de sable. C'est 
ce dont furent temoins deux Tonguses, qui depuis m'ont accompagne 
dans mon voyage. 

* The reader will judge whether it can be a common occurrence to find ele- 
phants' tusks. 



KK 2 



252 



THE LENA ELEPHANT. 



CHAP. Au mois de Mars, 1804, Schumachoff vint a son mamouth, et lul 
VI. 

ayant fait couper les cornes, il les echangea avec le marchand Bal- 
tunoff contre des merchandises, pour la valeur de cinquante rubles. 



Deux annees apres, par consequent dans la septieme de la decou- 
verte du mamouth, un hazard heureux voulut que je parcourusse ces 
regions, et je me felicite de pouvoir constater un fait qu'on auroit cru 
si invraisemblable. Je trouvai le mamouth, encore sur le meme lieu 
mais tout-a-fait mutile. Le proprietaire se tenoit content du profit 
quil en avoit tire, et les Jakutes du voisinage depeceoient les chairs, 
dont ils nourissoient leurs chiens pendant la disette. Les betes fero- 
ces, les ours blancs, les loups, les goulus, et les renards, en fesoient de 
meme. 

Le squelette presque decharne se trouvoit tout entier a l'exception 
d'un pied de devant. Les yeux out ete preserves et Ton distinguoit 
encore a l'ceil gauche la prunelle. Les parties les moins endomma- 
gees sont, un pied de devant et un de derriere; ils sont couvert de 
peau et ont encore la solle. Suivant l'assertion du chef Tunguse, l'ani- 
mal avoit ete si gros et si biennourri, que le ventre lui pendoit jusqu'au 
dela des jointures des genoux*. C'est un male, avec une longue 
criniere au col, mais sans queue; et sans trompe, selon Schumachofff ; 
mais il me paroit plus probable qu'elle a ete enlevee par les betes fe- 
roces. 

La peau dont je possede les trois quarts est d'un gris fonce, et cou- 
verte d'un poil rougeatre, et de crins noirs. La carcasse a une hau- 

* This is the kind of elephant which is, atTipera, called Kooraareah, or Daunte- 
Iah. SeeCb.XV. of this Vol. 

t If this animal had been killed in warfare, the trunk might have been cut off, 
which was not uncommon. " In a short time, the field of battle was covered with 
elephants' trunks, and the heads and bodies of the slain." Sherefeddin's Life of 
Timur Bee, Vol. II. p. 59. Tn the battle of Magnesia, Scipio's troops cut off the 
trunks of above thirty of the elephants of Antiochus. Livy, B. XXXVII. 



GREAT NUMBER OF TUSKS. 

teur de quatre archines, (nine feet four inches English) sur pres de 
sept de longueur (sixteen feet four inches) depuis la pointe du nezjus- 
qu 'au coccix*. Chacune des deux comes a une toise et demi de long, 
et les deux ensemble pesent dix pouds (three hundred and sixty 
pounds) f. La tete seule pese onze et demi pouds (four hundred and 
fourteen pounds). Je fis fouillerle terrain pour recueillir tousles crins 
que les ours blancs avoient foules dans le sol humide, en devorant les 
chairs. Je reussis a me procurer plus d'un poud de crins. 

Le lieu ou j'ai trouve le mamouth, est eloigne de la cote d'environ 
60 pas ; et de 1'escarpement de la glace d'ou il avoit glisse\ de pres 
de 100 pas. Cet escarpement occupe precis6ment le milieu entre 
les deux pointes de 1' isthme, et a trois verstes de long, et dans la 
place meme ou se trouvoit le mamouth cette roche a une elevation 
perpendiculaire de 30 a 40 toises: l'animal etoit a sept toises de 
la superficie de la glace. Sa substance est une glace claire, pure et 
d'un gout piquant; elle s'incline vers la mer ; sa cime est couverte d'une 
couche de mousse et de terre friable d'une demie archine d'epaisseur. 
Pendant les chaleurs du mois de Juillet une partie de cette croute se 
fond, mais 1'autre reste gelee. 

La curiosite me fit monter sur deux autres collines assez eloignees 
de la mer; elles etoient de la meme matiere et moins couvertes de 
mousse. De distance en distance, on voyoit des morceaux de bois 
d'une grandeur enorme, et de toutes les esp^ces que produit la Siberie : 
les habitans appellent cette espece de bois Adamshina; et la distin- 
guent des bois flottants qu'ils appellent Noahshina J. On voyoit aussi 
des cornes de mamouth en grande quantity qui s'elevoient entre les 

* " Le coccix qui forme l'alongement du bassin prouve evidemnient quel'animal 
n'a point eu dequeue," says Mr. Adams; but when the skeleton was carefully put 
together, it was found that a part of the tail remained ; as appears in the engrav- 
ing in Baron Cuvier's great work. 

f See Plate, Ch. IX. 

t The Mahomedan Mongols are familiar with the history of the deluge. 



THE LENA ELEPHANT. 

creux des rochers. Elles paroissoient toutes d'une fraicheur eton- 
nante*. Toute la cote etoit comme tapissee des plantes lesplus variees 
et les plus belles que produisent les bords de la mer glaciale ; mais 
elles n'avoient que deux pouces de haut. 

* Mr. Adams does not mention any other particulars of this most extraordinary 
discovery ; and, as the size of the tusks is not mentioned, it is probable that Mr. A. 
may have seen morse tusks, for the following- reasons: 

I. It appears (in Chap. XVI.) that all writers and travellers mention the extraor- 
dinary tvhiteness of morse tusks; but that the large elephants' tusks are dirty and 
stained. 

II. Schumachoff, if he was present, would naturally call them Behemoth or Ma- 
moth tusks, that being, according to Muschkin Puschkin and Strahlenberg, the 
name of the morse in those regions. 

III. " Near Anadyr, and the Tchudskoi promontory, an astonishing quantity of 
morse teeth are found, which leads Gmelin to believe that they retire to these un- 
frequented regions for shedding their large old tusks, for young' ones." Tooke's 
Russia, Vol. III. p. 100. NarwaFs horns are also found in those parts of Siberia. 
Encyc. Brit. " Siberia." 

IV. " Morses' tusks are found an ell and a half long, (a Russian ell is twenty- 
eight inches English), and thirty pounds weight." Buffon, XXXIV. 62. 

V. Eminent naturalists, even Daubenton, have mistaken morses' tusks for those of 
the elephant. (Cuvier, p. 142). If these were elephants' tusks, it may truly be 
said to be a greater wonder than to find the animal floated to the mouth of the ri- 
ver; but, when we consider that the morses are natives of those mossy rocks, and 
that it is their habit to climb upon the rocks to seek their food, there is every pro- 
bability in favor of the supposition, that what Mr. Adams saw, was a number of 
morse tusks. If one or more have been brought away, (which Mr. A. does not 
mention), the doubt now expressed can easily be determined. It is scarcely pos- 
sible to imagine that Schumachoff, who had sighed five long years after two tusks, 
should have left this "grande quantite," to " waste their whiteness in the desert 
air." Elephants' tusks long exposed to the air are not white; nor do elephants 
shed their tusks after the first year of their age, when they do not exceed the 
length of two inches, (Corse). The hunters after morses' tusks are likely to deposit 
them in such places till they return homeward. Could these belong to Schuma- 
choff himself ? If so, he certainly would not offer Mr. Adams any assistance to- 
wards approaching them. If they were not his, he would no doubt keep his in- 
tention to appropriate them to himself a secret from any one. On the whole, it ap- 
pears almost certain, that they were walrus's, and not elephant's tusks; and would 
naturally be pointed out by Schumachoff under their real name of mammoths. 



254 



TWO CROSSES ERECTED. 

Autour de la carcasse on voyoit une multitude d'autres plantes, telles 
que la cineraria aquatica et quelques especes de pedicularis, qui ne 
sont point connues encore dans l'histoire naturelle. Nous erigeames 
deux croix, chacune assez solidement construite, et haute de six toises : 
l'une se trouve sur le roc de glace d'ou ce mamouth avoit glisse ; et 
l'autre sur l'eminence meme ou nous 1'avions trouve. Les Tunguses 
ont donne a l'une le nom de Croix de 1'Ambassade, et k l'autre celui de 
Croix de Mamouth. L' elevation elle meme re9ut le nom de Selichaeta, 
ou Montagne de Mamouth *. 

Je trouvai une grande quantite d'ambre, sur le rivage. * * * Arrive 
a Jakutsk j'eus le bonheur d'y racheter les defenses du mamouth, et 
de la j'expediai le tout pour St. Petersbourg. 

Le mamouth est couvert d'un poil tres epais, sur tous le corps et 
a sur le col une longue crinieref . Quand meme je mettrai en doute 
les rapports de mes compagnons de voyage, il est cependant evident, 
que les crins de la longueur d'une archine, qui se trouverent a la tete, 
aux oreilles, et au col de 1'animal, ont du, necessairement, appartenir 
a la criniere. Le poil epais semble indiquer qu'il appartenoit aux re- 
gions septentrionales. 

On a trouve des restes pareils, il y a deux ans, sur les bords de la 
Lena a une plus grande distance de la mer; et ils £toient tombes dans 
le lit du fleuve : on en a trouve d'autres dans les provinces plus meri- 
dionales du Volga, en Allemagne et meme en Espagne. Ce sont au- 
tant de preuves incontestable d'un deluge general, &c. 

* Selichaeta being so different a word, it appears thatthe Tschudskis do not call 
the elephant by the word Mammoth : and this agrees with Strahlenberg, (p. 404), 
who says, that the Siberians currently believe the mammoth to be an amphibious 
creature. The Ostiacks call the elephant Khosar; the Tartars call \tKhir. 

f Is not the circumstance of this beast being- thickly covered with hair, astrong* 
presumption that it did not die in a hot climate? See remarks on the ecliptic in 
the introduction. 



256 HAIR OF THE LENA ELEPHANT. 

CHAP. J e prie le lecteur curieux de vouloir bien, dans ce moment, se con- 
v^»v-^/ tenter de cet essai. Je me propose de donner 1'osteologie du ma- 
mouth, avec toute l'exactitude dont Camper nous a donn6 l'exemple 
dans un travail pareil *." 



REMARKS ON THE HAIR OF THE LENA ELEPHANT. 

The indefatigable and scientific labour of the Baron Cuvier enables 
the writer to give the exact description of the hair of this elephant, the 
most interesting circumstance attending it. 

" La peau est semblable a celle de 1'elephant vivant, mais on n'y dis- 
tingue pas les points bruns qu'on remarque dans l'esp£ce des Indes. 
M. Adams assure que la peau est d'un gris fonc6. Il-y-a trois sortes 
de poils. 

I. Les plus longs ont 12 a 15 polices; leur couleur brunf, et 
leur epaisseur a peu pres celle d'un crin de cheval. 

II. Il-y-a ensuite de plus courts, de dix de neuf pouses, qui sont en 
meme temps un peu plus minces, et de couleur fauve. 

III. La laine, qui paroit avoir garni la racine des longs poils, a de 
quatre a cinq pouces de longeur, elle est assez fine, passablement douce, 
et un peu frisee, sur tout vers sa racine : sa couleur est un fauve clair. 

* These extracts are taken from the supplement to the "Journal du Nord,"No. 
XXXTI. published at St. Petersburg-, in 1805. The writer regrets that he has 
not seen Mr. Adams's second publication. He wrote to a friend at St. Petersburg 
to procure it, but his friend could not find out that it had ever appeared. The 
plate and description in Cuvier's fourth volume, give all the information that is ne- 
cessary. The writer saw the bones of this animal immediately after they were 
taken out of the chests in which they were conveyed to St. Petersburg: they still 
retained a most powerful stench. 

t The brown colour of these may probably be accounted for by their having 
been long "foules dans leso! humide," by the wild beasts; as Mr. Adams, speaking 
of the ffeneral quantity, says " crius noirs." 



HAIR OF A LIVING ELEPHANT. 

Sur ce qui reste de peau a Petersbourg, les poils sont uses et courts. 
M. Adams nous dit q'une des oreilles de son individu, etoit garnie d'une 
tuffe de crins." The above is a correct description of the hairs of the 
same elephant, which are in the museum of the Royal College of Sur- 
geons, in London:— 

Mr. Adams mentions that " il est evident que les crins de la longueur 
d'une archine (twenty-eight inches), qui se trouverent encore a la tete, 
aux oreilles, et au col de l'animal ; ont du necessairement, appartenir a 
la criniere." 

The first kind of hair, twelve to fifteen inches in length, is of the 
thickness of the head and lip hairs of the living elephant, now (1825) 
in London ; one is three inches and a half, and the other two inches 
and nine-tenths long *. 

The second kind, of nine or ten inches, is in thickness like that taken 
from the fetlock of the living animal, which is five and a half inches 
long. 

The third kind, or wool, is from four to five inches long. — It is 
shown, in Ch. XV., that Leeuwenhoek discovered the skin of a modern 
elephant to be full of small hairs. 

The hair from the proboscis of the live elephant is stronger than 
the others, is three inches and four-tenths long, and corresponds with 
those discovered upon the body of the Dundee elephant, described in 
the Phil. Trans. No. 326. The hairs upon the body of the London 
living elephant were too short to be procured. 

Living elephants have hair about the ears, like the one found by 
Mr. Adams. 

Mr. Adams's account of the mane is not sufficiently distinct, to allow 
an accurate judgment to be formed about that particular. If the 
quality and disposition of the hairs upon the fossil and living elephants 

* See the plate in Ch. IX. 



WINTER FOOD AND LONG HAIR OF ANIMALS IN SIBERIA. 

should be found to be similar, the only remaining difference would 
be in the length. Elephants bear a degree of cold which has been 
found to kill men and horses : would a change of food encourage the 
growth of their hair? The green winter food of a northern climate 
must be extremely warm and stimulating. Elephants will eat every 
variety of food. Sheep and cattle, in hard winters in England, are fed 
on the tops of fir-trees *. 

The Siberian climate encourages the growth of the hair, wool, and 
fur of all animals. 

The Burat ox, near Lake Baikal, is covered with long hair some- 
thing like the Yak (Bos grunniens) f . The dogs near Sabatskoinos, 
have hair a quarter of an ell in length %■ " The black ox of Tartary, 
that had been tamed, had long hair like the camel's, but much thicker ; 
he was quite black, had short legs, and walked slowly and heavily ; he 
had a saddle upon his back, and a man led him with a halter §." 

The summer hair of the Argali, or wild ram, is short and sleek ; the 
winter coat long and shaggy, much mixed with wool: the horns 
weigh forty pounds. They feed on bitter and acrid mountain herbs ||. 
Is human hair longer in Siberia than in other countries? Isbrandts 
Ides measured the hair of a Tungusian Prince, which he found to be 
four Dutch ells long: and that of his son (six years of age), seven- 
eighths of an ell **. 

The Yakutes keep their horses out all the winter; they scrape aside 
the snow with their hoofs, to get at the grass ; they eat the buds 
of the birch and aspen, become sleeker, fatter, and handsomer than 

* Rees's Encyc. 44 Fir tree." 

f Isbrandts Ides, in Harris's Voyage, II. p. 929, with an engraving. 
t Strahlenberg, p. 450. 

§ Pere Gerbillon, in Du Halde, Vol. II. p. 284. 

H Tooke, Vol. III. p. 78. 

** In Harris's Voyages, Vol. II. p. 792. 



FEEDING OF ELEPHANTS. 



259 



in summer, when their hair grows long *, Favorite elephants are CI ^ P - 
washed clean and oiled: the Emperor Akbar and the King of Pegu v^-^^. 
allowed sugar and ghee, or butter, to be given to their best elephants ; 
such treatment might promote the growth of hair, in cold countries, 
where they would probably not be rubbed with pumice-stone ; not be- 
ing exposed to mud and dustf. The doubtful circumstance of the 
mane appears to be the only material difference between the hair of 
the living and of this fossil elephant. Such hairs as are upon the pro- 
boscis of the live elephant, and upon the skin (as described by Mr. 
Blair) of the Dundee elephant, if growing upon the back, as in the 
musk ox, might, from their stiffness, appear as a mane. 

There does not appear to be such a difference between the bones 
of the Lena elephant, and those of other fossil skeletons, as to entitle 
the former to be considered as a different species. " From the draw- 
ing I have before me," says Baron Cuvier, " I have every reason to 
believe, that the sockets of the teeth of Mr. Adams's elephant, have 
the same proportional lengths with those of other fossil elephants, of 
which the entire skulls have been found in other places %. 

" The alveoli of the tusks of the fossil elephant, found on the banks 
of the Indigerska, of another found in Siberia, of one (seen by Baron 
Cuvier) at Florence, and of one from the banks of the Volga, are three 
times as long as those of India and Africa, of the same size. The alve- 
oli of Mr. Adams's elephant had been somewhat mutilated by the 
Tunguses, and therefore an accurate idea of their length could not be 

* Strahlenberg, 385. Levesque, Vol. VII. p. 436. 

f " We went to the river to see the king's and great noblemen's elephants 
washed. When they have soaked themselves in the water, they are rubbed and 
cleaned with pumice-stone, and after they are dry, they are rubbed with oil of 
cocoa." Tavernier, P. II. B. I. Ch. XIX. Ayeen Akbery, Vol. I. p. 127. 

X Theory of the Earth, p, 227. 



LL2 



260 ALVEOLI OF THE TUSKS. 

CHAP, formed. This difference in the alveoli is of the more importance, as it 
VI. 

v^-y-w' agrees with the form of the lower jaw, and required a different con- 
formation of the trunk of a fossil elephant*." The reader is referred 
to Chapter XVIII, for the reasons adduced why the fossil elephants 
differ from the modern individuals which have been described. 



Cuvier, p. 176. 



261 



CHAPTER VII. 



Description of the ancient City of Bangalla, which stood at the 

Eastern Mouth of the Ganges, now overflowed. Burmah. 

Pegu, SfC. in the Sixteenth Century; all of which had been 

subject to the Grand Khans, in the Thirteenth and Fourteenth 

Centuries. Bloody Wars for a White Elephant. Siege of 

Pegu. — — Deplorable Famine. Immense Treasures. 

Much historical confusion has arisen from the circumstance of , „ 

LHAr. 

there having been two countries called Bengal, or Bangalla; one of VII. 
which had Gour for its capital, for the space of two thousand three 
hundred years * : the capital of the other was Bangalla, a very ancient 
city, situated at the eastern mouth of the Ganges. 

" In some ancient maps, and books of travels, we meet with a city 
named Bengalla : but no traces of such a place now exist. It is de- 
scribed as being near the eastern mouth of the Ganges : and I con- 
ceive, that the site of it has been carried away by the river; as, in my 
remembrance, a vast tract of land has disappeared thereabouts. Ben- 
galla appears to have been in existence during the early part of the 
seventeenth century f." 



* Vide Hamilton's East India Gazetteer," Bengal." 
t Rennel's Memoir, p. 57. 



262 KING OF BANGALLA IS DEFEATED BY KUBLAI'S OFFICER. 

CHAP. Marco Polo relates, that the Grand Khan Kublai conquered Mien 

v^-y-w and Bangalla ; which has been contradicted, in consequence, it is pre- 
sumed, of its not being generally known that there were two king- 
doms of that name. The object of these notes is, to prove that there 
were two kingdoms ; and that Kublai conquered the eastern one. 

Hindostan was frequently invaded by the Mongols, in the thirteenth 
century, in great force, by way of Moultan ; and Great Bengal was 
invaded by Chitta and Tibet; but they were always repulsed with 
loss *. 

In 1272, the Grand Khan Kublai sent an army into the countries 
of Vochang and Karazan, for their protection against any attack 
from foreigners. It was afterwards his Majesty's policy to ap- 
point his own sons to the governments; and these places were 
erected into a principality for his grandson, Timur Kaan, or Cen- 
Temurf . 

When the King of Mien (Ava) and Bengalla heard that an army of 
Tartars had arrived at Vochang, he advanced immediately, to prevent 
the Grand Khan from stationing a force on the borders of his domi- 
nions. He had a numerous army of horse and foot, and a multitude 
of elephants, with twelve or sixteen men in each castle upon their 
backs. Nestardin, (a Nestorian), a brave and able officer, was much 
alarmed, having but twelve thousand men, (veterans, indeed, and 
valiant soldiers). The king had sixty thousand troops, and one 
thousand elephants. Nestardin reminded his troops, that their very 
name was a terror to the whole world, and promised to lead them to 
victory. 

A bloody action ensued, which lasted from morning till noon. 

* Vide Dow's History, Vol. I. and Chap. II. of this Vol. 

f Timur Kaan, while in this government, invaded Siberia. See Chap. V. 



ANCIENT KINGDOM AND CITY OF BANGALLA. 



2C3 



The Mongols were finally victorious, which was attributed to their C y^ p ° 
wearing armour. Their horses being frightened by the elephants, the vj^sr** 
men dismounted, tied them to trees, and fought on foot. Two hun- 
dred elephants, or more, were captured. 

From this period, the khan has always employed elephants in his 
armies, which, before that time, he had not done. The consequences 
of the victory were, that his Majesty acquired possession of the whole 
of the territories of the king of Mien and Bangalla, and annexed them 
to his dominions*. 

" The kings of Bangala, in times past, were chosen of the Abyssini- 
an slaves. Chandigan, Aracan, and Siripur are, by Fernandes, placed 
in Bangala as so many kingdoms f. Patenau, by Frederic and Fitch, 
is reckoned to be another Bengalan kingdom, which our countryman 
Fitch calleth the kingdom of Gouren; so that, under this name, Ben- 
gala, there are many seigniories, all, or most part, subject to the Mo- 
gol. (Latter end of the sixteenth century). Goura and Bengala are fair 
cities^." 

" The king, (Shah Jehan), sent for his second son, Sultan Sujah, from 
Candahar to Lahore, and conferred on him the government of the 
great and little kingdoms of Bengala §." 

Vincent Le Blanc visited the city of Bangalla about the middle of 
the seventeenth century, or earlier. " Leaving Coromandel," says he, 

* Marco Polo, B.II. Chapters XXXIX. XJLIL and notes. Harris's Voyages, Vol. I. 
p. 614. In the first is a long and interesting account of this battle. 

In 1279 the governor of Bengal revolted from the Patau Emperor Balin, but 
was defeated, and killed; this was the Great Bengal of which Gour was the capi- 
tal. See Dow, Vol. I. p, 201; and Hamilton's Gazetteer, " Bengal." 

t See in the Courier, Sept. 22,1824, a letter from the Viceroy of Pegu; in 
which he represents that Ramoo, Chittagong, and Bengal, form part of the four 
great cities of Aracan. 

t Purcbas, Vol. I. (B.) pp. 576 and 577. Barclay's Univ. Traveller, p. 495. 

§ Ogilby's Asia, Part I. p. 161. 



PORT AND COMMERCE OF BANGALLA. 



" we came to the kingdom of Bengale the chief town whereof bears 
that name by the Portuguese and other nations *, and by the natives 
Batacouta, one of the greatest antiquity in the Indies. Some would 
have it to be old Ganges, a royal town on the river Ganges. This 
kingdom of Bengal was, three hundred years since, subdued by the Great 
Khan of Tartary, but subsequently freed herself ; and after that was con- 
quered by the Parthians (Patans) ; and is at last subject to the Great 
Mogul. It contains Sirapu, Chandecan, Bacal, Aracan, and other 
countries. The town is situate upon one of the mouths of the Gan- 
ges, there being two principal mouths. Eastward of the kingdom 
is the province of Edaspa, which joins the kingdom of Aracan. On 
another side is the province of Mien and Tapacura, under the obe- 
dience of Bengal. On one side south is cape Sogoraf ; on the other 
Catigan, at the third outlet of the Ganges, over against Verma, (Bur- 
mah), where there are mines of chrysolites, topazes, &c. Verma 
formerly belonged to Bengal ; the people are civil, and all nations have 
free traffic, Persians, Greeks, Abyssinians, Chinese, Guzerats, Jews.. 
Georgians, &c. 

CITY OF BANGALLA. 

There is great commerce by the mouth of the Ganges up to Ben- 
gal, which is six miles by land, and twenty by water ; when the tide 
is lowest, it is three fathoms deep round the walls of the town, so 
that ships safely enter the haven, and are there very numerous. 'Tis 

* It is not uncommon for cities in India to have two names. Dacca, is known 
also by the name of Jehanguir-nagur. 

f Luekipore, Chittagong, Dacca, and as far as the Cossimbazar Island, were 
claimed as a part of the former kingdom of Aracan, by the king of Ava, in 1796. 
Journal of Captain Hiram Cox, p. 300. 



POWER OF THE KING OF BANGALLA. 



265 



thought there are forty thousand families in the town, and the king C yj^ P ' 
dwells in a stately palace built with brick, with fine gardens to it. v_**-y—^ 
He keeps a great court, and his chief guard consists of women*, 
as is the custom in Java, Sumatra, and Fransiane : they are valiant, 
expert horse riders and vaulters, and use the scimitar, buckler, and 
battle-axe dexterously : the handsomest are richly attired. The king 
is an idolater, a valiant person, and can draw into the field a great 
army of horse and foot: his country has wherewithal, for he is rich in 
gold, silver, and jewels. He can draw forth two thousand elephants, 
caparisoned: they have daggers on their tusks, and they carry as many 
men as those of Narsingue. They use hand-guns, muskets, swords, 
pikes, javelins, and halberds. The king has many tributaries, as the 
king of Apura, who pays him fifty elephants yearly, and twelve pearls 
for the ransoms of six towns, which the king of Bengal had taken from 
him. The king of Dimali is also tributary for having assisted the 
king of Apuraf, and pays fifty horses and fifty thousand crowns an- 
nually. The king of OrixaJ, and many more, pay him tribute too; 
though he himself, in some manner, acknowledges the Mogul §. His 

* In Chap. VIII. of this work, the reader will meet with several instances of the 
warlike character of the Indian ladies. 

t There can be little doubt but that this means Tipera, which was not subjected 
by the Moguls till the eighteenth century. Hamilton's Gazetteer. 

$ Orissa, orOrixa, was formerly independent of Great Bengal. Ayeen Akbery, 
Vol. II. p. 11. It was conquered by the Moguls in 1592. Hamilton's Gazetteer, 
,e Orissa." 

§ I cannot find this city under either name in the Ayeen Akbery. But, Vol. II. 
p. 3, it is said " Esau Asghan carried his conquests towards the east, into a coun- 
try called Bhatty, which is reckoned a part of this Subah, and caused the 
Kootba to be read, and the coin to be struck in the name of bis present majes- 
ty. Bordering upon Bhattyis an extensive country, subjecttothe chief of Tiprah, 
whom they stile Yeyah Manick. Their military force consists of a thousand ele- 
phants, and two hundred thousand infantry." AH this is reconcilable with the 
description of Le Blanc's Batacouta. 

MM 



236 CHITTAGONG.— COMMERCE WITH ARABIA. 

CHAP, army is ever ready on the instant to appear in the field. The Benga- 
^p-^-^i lians live much on preserves, sweetmeats, and spices. Their clothings 
are of cotton, silk, damask, satin, and velvet: they are the gallantest 
persons of the East, both men and women, and both sexes go richly ap- 
pareled and perfumed. All other nations flock thither to spend their 
money, and chiefly to buy young eunuchs, as slaves to manage their 
business, and to guard their women ; for which purpose, they have 
been instructed in all manner of virtues ; they are sold for sixty to a 
hundred ducats *. The complexions of the Bengalians are rather fair 
than black. Their coats are almost of the Italian mode, especially 
when they visit ladies, as at Ormus. Their principal drink is milk 
with sugar and cinnamon. 

We went from Bengala to Castigan f , where were arrived some 
Portuguese ships; this place belongs to the king of Bengala. We 
sold our opium at Castigan, a drug of much profit, and of which a 
great quantity is brought from Aden, and other parts of Arabia. At 
the island of Sondina, which is inhabited by Mahometans, we got 
all the victuals we wanted, almost for nothing. From all antiquity, 
the people of Sondina were subject to the same king as the Castiga- 
nians J." 

Mr. Marsden, in his edition of Marco Polo, note 881, observes, that 
in B amusio's text, the true reading is, that the Grand Khan did not 
conquer Bengala; and that the king of Mien and Bengala means but 
one person : also that the mistake obviously arises from the omission 
of the negative. Ramusio died in 1557, and probably had heard, 
by way of the Cape of Good Hope, that the Great Bengal (of which 

* Marco Polo, page 452, asserts the same thing: " The Bangalians sell to the 
merchants who resort thither, eunuchs, of whom there are numbers in the country, 
as slaves; for all prisoners taken in war are presently emasculated." 

f Doubtless, Chittagong'. 

$ Vincent Le Blanc, Part I. Ch. XXII. and Purchas, Vol. I. (B) Book V. 



BENGAL OR BANGALLA PAYS TRIBUTE TO CHINA. 267 

Gour was the capital), had never been conquered by Kublai, the Grand CHAP. 

VII. 

Khan. It is highly probable (if the omission of the negative be an v_»- y -»_; 
error of the printer) that, on this intelligence, he, as he imagined, cor- 
rected the early editions of Polo. Gour had been the capital, from the 
seventh century before Christ, till the reign of Akbar; when it was 
abandoned, in consequence of the unwholesome air; after which Tan- 
da, Rajemahl, Dacca, and Moorshedabad, were successively the capi- 
tals of Great Bengal. 

Gibbon, Chap. LXIV. says, " the kingdoms of Tonquin, Cochin 
China, Pegu, Bengal, and Thibet, were reduced to different degrees of 
tribute and obedience, by the effect or terror of Kublai's arms." 

We find that vessels arrived at Fokein, in 1286, from the tributary 
kingdom of Bengal *. We may conclude that there certainly were 
two Bengals, and that, as this was not generally known, these mis- 
takes have arisen. 

Mien is laid down in the map of the East Indies by Joseph Enouy, 
published by Bowles and Carver, in 1799, as a province two or three 
degrees east-north-east of Umarapora, or Ava. More, on the conquest 
of the regions between the Burrampooter and China, may be seen in 
Marco Polo, Ch. XXXVII. to Ch. XLIX. Concerning Mien, see the 
same book, note 864 ; where it appears that Ava is meant. 



OF BURMAH AND PEGU IN THE SIXTEENTH 
CENTURY. 

The king of Pegu subjugated the kingdom of Verma, or Burmah; 
two years after, he conquered Siam. He, by his lieutenant, subdued 
many other countries. 

* Modern Universal History, Vol. II. p. 387. 
M M2 



68 FIVE KINGDOMS LOST FOR A WHITE ELEPHANT. 

CHAP. The king's palace stands at the farthest end of new Pegu. He has 
VII 

a walled park, where he keeps all sorts of beasts, never regarding the 
price ; as appears by the long war with the king of Siam for the white 
elephant, to dignify his calachar, or park. It was the Pegu king 
Aleager, who began this cruel war, with a million of martial men, two 
hundred thousand horse, five thousand elephants, and three thousand 
camels. He sacked and ruined Siam, or Lagi, which was reputed 
twice as big as Paris. The siege lasted twenty-two months. He took 
the king's treasure, wife, and children; and brought them and the 
white elephant to Pegu, sixty-five days' journey, by camels. The king 
of Siam cast himself, in despair, from a turret of his own palace. Some 
of his daughters made away with themselves. One lady was saved, 
who was affianced to the Grand Mogul's son, who, following the army 
to recover her, was taken prisoner. By frequent prayers he obtained 
leave to visit her and his future mother in law. They were now mar- 
ried, and conducted to the confines with great honour and magnifi- 
cence; whence grew the greatness of the Mogul, tributary to the king 
of Pegu, but who hath since broken his faith. 

This fatal white elephant hath cost five kings their lives and estates. 
The last king of Pegu had it taken from him by the king of Aracan, 
through the treachery of the king of Tangut, his brother-in-law. The 
coach of the king of Pegu was drawn by four white elephants. I 
believe that in all the East there were not more to be found. 

At every corner of the king's palace, stands a giant of polished mar- 
ble; who, Atlas like, upholds this goodly fabric ; and they are repre- 
sented with such tortions of face, you would think that they complain of 
their load. You enter over a draw -bridge, through a gate of excessive 
height and strength ; where are the figures of a giant and his wife, of 
variegated marble. 



CAMELOPARD.— WILD BEASTS DEVOUR CRIMINALS. 26 

One palace is allotted to the queen and her court, (not unlike the CHAP. 

VII 

Escurial), which joins a park, stored with musk animals, giraffes; ^-^.J^, 
and stags, called Arsuiga, which are like those in Sweden, and are used 
as horses; birds of paradise, and ostriches of prodigious bigness. There 
is an unicorn called Drougala, and the head of another with the horn 
in the middle of the upper part of the forehead, firmly fixed upon the 
side of a fountain. There is a park for lions, tigers, and other fierce 
beasts, called Siparo; and 'tis a sad and daily sight to see criminals de- 
voured by them. 

In 1572, there was a church founded in memory of a miracle. A 
poor Christian pilgrim from France, who had curiosity to see the court 
of that great monarch, so famous throughout the Indies, having no 
money, swam across the river, and was detected, taken, and condemn- 
ed. He was exposed to the lions, next to the elephants, and thirdly 
to the tigers, but none of the beasts would touch him: he was then 
presented to the king ; who inquired who he was, and gave him a pen- 
sion for life. 

The king is called Quiber Sencal Jasel, that is, grand monarch of 
elephants. He delights to see them monthly exercised in battalions, 
marching ten abreast; the riders in cloth of gold upon a green ground, 
with a lance and a lion's skin. With the captain march twelve negro 
women, with drums; their faces painted red and violet, clothed in 
figured gowns ; dancing, and making ridiculous gesticulations before 
the elephants. 

When they go to war, the elephants have bars of steel over their 
trunks. A squadron of a thousand elephants follows the captain; 
next comes the king's throne, with his children, high and exalted like 
a canopy, drawn by those famous white ones; followed by many no- 
bles, mounted on others, with silken bridles; all accompanied with 
trumpets, flutes, and other instruments: at which sounds the elephants 



270 BURMAH.— PEGU.— SIAM. 

C y^ P leap and dance, and shew great content ; between times, they march 
^-^-v-*^ with a gravity becoming a rational creature. 

Of the kingdom of Bremah, or Burmah, the city royal is Pegu, in 
which place began the greatness of the late kings; these Burmans 
inhabited near the lake Chiamay ; among whom the king of Pegu had 
his viceroys ; one whereof, the deputy of Tangut, about seventy years 
since, rebelled against him, and surprised the kingdoms of Prom, Me- 
liatay, Calam, Baccam, Mirandu, and Ava; all peopled with Burmans, 
extending northwards a hundred and fifty leagues. 

He after attempted Siam, with an army of three hundred thousand 
men ; and spent three months in making way through the huge woods 
and inaccessible places; but achieved not his purpose. 

After his return, he assailed Pegu, and conquered it ; and then re- 
turned the second time, in 1567. He subjected to his seigniory, twelve 
kingdoms; which Fernandes thus rehearseth: the kingdom of Cau- 
clan, where are the best rubies and sapphires. Secondly, that of Ava, 
the bowels whereof are filled with mines of copper, lead, and silver. 
The third, Bacan, enriched with mines of gold. Tungran, the fourth, 
abounded with lac and lead. Such is Prom, the fifth. The sixth, is 
langoma, stored with copper, musk, pepper, silk, silver, and gold. 
Lauran, the seventh, had Beioim enough to lade ships. The eighth and 
ninth, are the kingdoms of Trucan, staples of China merchandise. The 
tenth and eleventh, are the Diadems of Cublan, between Ava and 
China, powdered with precious stones. Siam, whence we came last, 
is the last of the twelve ; in the invasion whereof he armed a million 
and three score thousand men: which number is short of Frederick's 
reckoning, except we ascribe that surplusage to victuallers, volunta- 
ries, servants, and attendants on the baggage ; which army, saith Fer- 
nandes, he tithed out of his people. 

_ He so abounded with wealth, that a hundred ships, freighted with 



MOST DREADFUL FAMINE. 271 

rice, seemed to diminish nothing of the plenty. The fields are said to CHAP, 
yield three harvests in the year; and of gems, the store is beyond es v^-y-^ 
timation, and also maketh them, there, short of the estimation of gems. 
But this wealth, then wanting no store, had, when Fernandes wrote 
this, in 1598, a contrary vicissitude — of no store; hut want even of 
those things which nature exacteth as necessary props of life. Scarce- 
ly, of so many, were left seven thousand persons, men, women, 
and children, to participate the king's imprisonment or siege in his 
tower; and those feeding on man's flesh: the parents requiring of 
the children that life, which before they had given, to sustain their 

own ; and now laid them, not in their bosoms, but in their bowels 

The children became living sepulchres of their scarce dead parents. 
The strongest preyed upon the weaker; and, if their flesh was con- 
sumed before by their own hunger, leaving nothing but skin and bones 
to the hungry assault of these raveners, they ripped the belly and de- 
voured their inward parts ; and, breaking the skull, sucked out the 
brains raw. Yea, the weaker sex was, by the strength of famine, 
armed with no less butcherly despight against whomsoever they could 
meet in the streets of the city, with their knives, which they carried 
about them as harbingers to their teeth, in those inhospitable inhuman 
human banquets. 

Thus did the besieged suffer ; while the king endured in his tower 
no small part of like misery, besides the indignity so to be, by his own 
vassals, straitened and afterwards slaughtered. But such is the just 
hand of the King of kings, who regardeth not persons; but, as he 
sheweth mercy to the merciful, so doth he reserve vengeance for cru- 
elty and tyranny. Pardon me, reader, if in this spectacle I cause 
thee, with myself, to stay awhile and wonder. The Sun, in his daily 
journey round about this vast globe, saw few equal (that I say no 
more) to this Peguan greatness ; and yet, in a small space, He that 



272 SIX HUNDRED ELEPHANTS LADEN WITH GOLD. 

CHAP, is higher than the highest, hath abated and abased this magnificence 
^v^ 1 lower than the lowest of his princes *. 

After the death of the Burman conqueror, his son, finding the king 
of Ava, his tributary and uncle, was plotting a conspiracy, seized 
forty Avan noblemen; had them conducted into a wood, which was 
set fire to; and those who escaped the flames were killed by the 
sword. The two kings agreed to try their fate by single combat upon 
elephants ; and the king of Pegu obtained the conquest. 

Andreas Boues, March 28, 1600, relates, that the king of Pegu was 
besieged by the kings of Aracan and Tangut ; that he surrendered 
himself, his queen, and prince, to the latter; who, treacherously be- 
heading them, hastened to the tower of Pegu, where he found as much 
gold and jewels as laded six hundred elephants and as many horses, 
besides silver. The king of Aracan, incensed at this conduct, with 
the assistance of the Portuguese, among whom this jesuit was one, 
invaded Pegu, seized three millions of silver, and all the artillery ; and 
remained lord of Pegu. The king hath four white elephants; and if 
any other hath any, he will seek them by favor or force. They are 
fed in vessels of silver gilt. One of them, when he goes to the river, 
passes under a canopy of cloth of gold, or silk, carried by six or eight 
men ; as many going before, playing on drums or other instruments. 
On his coming out of the river a gentleman washes his feet in a silver 
bason. There were black elephants nine cubits high. The king is 
said to have about five thousand elephants of war. When Mr. Fitch 
was at Pegu, the king had one wife, three hundred concubines : and 
he was said to have ninety children. The king sat in judgment almost 
every dayf. 

* This punning but interesting narrative is from Purchas, rector of St. Martin's 
Ludgate, chaplain to Abbot, Archbishop of Canterbury, and contemporary with 
Shakespear and Milton, who were both punsters. 

f Purchas, Vol. I. p. 458 to 468, and Vincent Le Blanc, Ch. XXVI. and XXVII. 



CITY OF PEGU BRASS ORDNANCE. 273 

The town of Pegu is square and very large, having five gates at each CHAP, 
side of the square ; and a deep trench in which there are many croco- O^-^-w' 
diles. The walls are of wood: the watch towers are richly gilt. 
When in the heart of the town, you discover all the streets ; which is a 
gallant curiosity. The king's guard consists of thirty thousand horse, 
Turks, Persians, or Arabians ; for there is a law, that he who brings 
twenty horses for sale, shall pay no duty on his other merchandize; 
they are therefore brought in abundance. 

The soldiers exercise much at a mark, and are very expert. The 
king has about five thousand elephants. Merchants follow the armies 
upon oxen. The country is rich in gold, silver, rubies, sapphires, 
garnets, &c. and his magazine may pass for the treasury of the East. 
There is a statue of a tall man of beaten gold, wearing a golden crown, 
enriched with rubies of inestimable value; and round it, four statues 
of youths, all of gold. In one part they make coaches, litters, saddles; 
and harness for elephants, covered with gold and silver. I saw a rich 
saddle and furniture for an elephant, bought for the king. They use 
arquebusses and other guns, which are far better than ours ; better iron, 
better tempered, and better wrought. The king had three thousand 
pieces of ordnance; one thousand of them were of brass*. 

* * * * 

When the king of Siam goes to court, he has a train of two hundred 
elephants, among which one is white. If any favorite elephant falls 
sick and dies, he is, with funeral pomp, burned to ashes with reeds, 
and the weight of his body of sweet wood; but, if he be an offender, 
he is not burnt but buried. The monarch stiles himself King of Hea- 
ven and Earth f. 

* Vincent Le Blanc, P. I. Ch. XXVI. f Tavernier, P. II. B. III. Ch. XVIII. 

N N 



274 QUEEN ELIZABETH'S LETTER. 

' VlV * own °^ Siam stands upon the large river Mecan, which springs 

w-v-**^' from the famous lake Chiamay ; Siam has a stately wall, and contains 
thirty thousand houses, with a castle strongly fortified, built upon the 
water, like Penivitan and Venice. The country breeds elephants, rhi- 
noceroses, giraffes, tigers, lions, leopards; the fairest ermines, camels, 
dromedaries, and some say unicorns; which, being very timorous 
beasts, seldom appear in sight*. 



SUMATRA. 

" Our English first had trade at Sumatra in the last years of queen 
Elizabeth, whose name was then famous, for her exploits against the 
Spaniards. The queen's letter directed to the king, Sultan Aladin, 
was received with great state. First, he entertained the messenger 
with a banquet ; gave him a robe and a piece of calico wrought with 
gold; and offered pledges for the general's safety, for whom he sent 
six elephants, with drums, trumpets, streamers, and many people. 
The greatest elephant, being thirteen or fourteen feet high, had a 
small castle like a coach, covered with velvet, on his back; in which 
was placed a great golden bason, with a rich covering of silk, where- 
in the letter was laid. The general was mounted on another ele- 
phant; but staid at the court gate, till the king's pleasure and li- 
cence was again sent. 

The king gave him a feast ; the dishes were of gold or tambaycke, 
which is gold and brass mixed. Their wine is of rice, as strong as 
aqua vitae: the king drank to the general out of his gallery, a fathom 

* Vide Le Blanc, p. 105. We are always tantalized with the hope of finding- 
one of these animals. An Unicorn is reported to have been seen by a British 
officer, in the thick woods near Aracan, in July, 1825. 



A COCK FIGHTING MONARCH. 



275 



higher than where they sat. After the feast, there were music C yj^ R 
and dancing by the king's damsels ; which was a great favor, as they v-s— y-*»- 
are not commonly seen. 

The chief prelate was appointed one of the commissioners for arti- 
cles of league, which were concluded. 

They took a prize of nine hundred tons, and were like to be taken 
themselves by a strange water spout, which fell not far from them, as 
in one whole drop, enough to have sunk any ship. 

The king sent a letter and presents to the queen : and, at their de- 
parture, asked if they had the psalms of David, and caused them to 
sing one; which he and his nobles seconded with a psalm (as he said) 
for their prosperity. 

The court hath three guards, between each of which there is a 
great green. The walls of the house are hung sometimes with cloth 
of gold, velvet, or damask. The king sits cross-legged, with four cris- 
ses, two before, and two behind, very rich. Forty women attend him 
with fans, clothes, singing, and other offices. He eateth and drinketh 
all day ; or is chewing betel and areca, talking of venery and cock- 
fighting. 

This king had a hundred gallies, of which some will carry four hun- 
dred men ; they are without decks ; their oars are like shovels, four feet 
long, and are managed with one hand. 

A woman was admiral, he not daring, through self-guiltiness,to trust 
men. They have a tradition that Acheen is Ophir *." " The king of 
Acheen places his strength in nine hundred elephants. 1 have seen 
three hundred at a time in the court of the palace f." 



* Sir James Lancaster. Purchas, Vol. I. 548. 

f Commodore Beaulieu. Harris's Voy. Vol. I. 745. 



NN 2 



278 



CHAPTER VIII. 



Hindostan. Heroism of the Indian Ladies. Court Pa- 
rades of the Emperors Akbar, Jehanghir, and Aurnngzeb. 

Combats of Elephants with Horses; of English Mastiffs with 
Elephants; of Crocodiles with Horses. 

chap. Hindostan being the country which has furnished the Greeks, 
VIII 

Romans, and Persians, with elephants, from the earliest times, a few 
interesting extracts have been selected, to shew the numbers of those 
animals with which that country abounds; and also for the purpose, 
in later times, of exhibiting the customs of the Moguls, who are de- 
scendants of Genghis Khan and Tamerlane. 

In the ninth century of the Christian era, two Arabians visited In- 
dia. " The king of Tafek, " say they, " has the finest white women 
in all India. He is awed by the kings about him, his army being 
small, and bordering on the lands of a king called Rami, who is at war 
with the king of Haraz, and with the Balhara also. They say, that 
Rami's forces are very numerous ; and that he takes the field with ten 
or fifteen thousand tents, and appears at the head of fifty thousand 
elephants*. 

* The Balhara reigned at Kanoge, the capital of Porus : and which, in the sixth 
century, contained thirty thousand shops for the sale of Betel-nut. See Rennel's 
Memoir, p. 54. Abul Gliazi, Vol. II. p. 754; and Harris's Voyages, Vol. I. p. 525. 



THREE HUNDRED ELEPHANTS INTOXICATED. 

* * * * 

Mamood, Emperor of Ghizni, in his eleventh expedition, marched 
again by the way of Lahore, in the year 1023, against Nunda, the 
prince of Callinger, with a great army. Passing by the fort of Gua- 
lior, he ordered it to be besieged ; but the prince of the province pre- 
vailed on him to remove from before that place, in a few days,- by 
means of rich presents and thirty -five elephants. Mamood, immedi- 
ately directed his march to Callinger, invested that city, and Nunda 
offered him three hundred elephants and other presents for peace ; 
which terms were agreed to. The Raja, to try the bravery of the sul- 
tan's troops, intoxicated the elephants with certain drugs, and let them 
loose without riders into the camp. Mamood, seing the animals ad- 
vancing, perceived the trick by the wildness of their motions, and im- 
mediately ordered a party of his best horse, to seize, kill, and drive 
them from the camp. Some of the Turks, emulous to display their 
bravery in the presence of their king, and of both armies, mounted 
the greatest part of the elephants, and drove the rest into an adjacent 
wood, where they were soon reduced to obedience f. 

English travellers mention immense numbers. Win. Clarke, who 
served the Mogul many years, saith, that he hath seen in one army 
twenty thousand elephants, whereof four thousand were for war, the 
rest females for burthen, young, &c. (Purchas, (B) Vol. I. p. 640.) 

" The king keepeth thirty thousand elephants in his whole kingdom ; 



277 



CHAP. 
VIII. 



f Dow's Hindostan, Vol. I. p. 64. 



278 AN AFFECTIONATE WHITE ELEPHANT. 

CHAP, some thirteen feet and a half high." (T. Coryate from Asmeer, Pur- 

VTTf 

vJ™!^, chas, II. 592.) 

Jehanghir hath twenty thousand camels, four thousand ounces for 
game, one hundred tame lions, four thousand hawks, twelve thousand 
elephants, five thousand of which with teeth. Of his and his nobles, 
there are thought to be forty thousand elephants in his empire." 
(Captain Hawkins. Purchas, I. 545. (B) VoL I. p. 594.) 

* * • * * 

Cuttub presented the king with above three hundred elephants, tak- 
en from the Raja of Benares; the riders had a signal given to them to 
make all the elephants at once fall upon their knees to the king ; which 
they did, except a favorite white one. This animal was considered in- 
estimable; and, though extremely tractable, he, on this occasion, had 
nearly killed his rider, when he endeavoured to force him to pay his 
obedience. The king, on setting out for Ghizni, sent the white ele- 
phant in a present to Cuttub, who rode it ever after, till his death; 
when the affectionate animal, with visible sorrow, pined and expired 
the third day after f . 

* * * * 

Sultan Baber took the route of Lahore, and, on the way, hunted rhi- 
noceroses, with which that country abounded ; many were killed, and 
some taken in toils. This gave him an opportunity to put the personal 
bravery of the chiefs to trial J. 



f Dow's Hindostan, A. D. 1205. 



t Bow, A. D. 1525. 



A WARLIKE HINDOO QUEEN. 279 

Asaph, having heard of the riches of the kingdom of Gurrah, at that CHAP, 
time governed by a queen named Durgetti, marched against it. The y -^_> 
queen, with fifteen hundred elephants, &c. prepared to meet him. 
Like a bold heroine, she led on her troops to action, clothed in armour, 
with a helmet upon her head, mounted in a castle upon an elephant, a 
bow and quiver by her side. The brave queen received an arrow in 
her eye and one in her neck, which she pulled out; but, finding 
the enemy crowding fast around her, and her son being mortally 
wounded, she plunged a dagger into her bosom, and expired f. 

# * # * 

" There was, as is said, formerly a Moor king, who, leading a volup- 
tuous and idle life, by his captains was dispossessed of his estate. 
One of these was called Idalcan, whose royal seat is Visiapore. In 
the year 1572, he encamped before Goa, which the Portuguese had 
taken from him, with an army of seventy thousand foot, thirty-five 
thousand horse, two thousand elephants, and two hundred and fifty 
pieces of artillery J." 

* * * * 

In the year 1582, the Emperor Akbarled an army to Cabul, against 
his brother Hakim, who had rebelled ; he was accompanied by a vast 
number of armed elephants. They wear plates of iron upon their 
foreheads, carry four archers, or else four gunners with great pieces. 
They go not in front of the army, lest, being hurt, they should disturb 
the ranks, and therefore are set in the rear : a sword is bound to their 
trunk, and daggers are fastened to their tusks. One of the guns, in the 
first advance, by accident, killed three of the chiefs who stood by Ha- 
f Dow, A. D. 1564. i Pnrchas, Vol. I, p. 485. 



280 LADIES, PATRONESSES OF WARRIORS. 

CilAP. kim, who immediately left the field, and was pursued with great slaugh- 
>s««*^v^»»^ ter - The Emperor entered Cabul, and Hakim fled to Ghorebund : he 
from thence sent an embassy to the Emperor, begging forgiveness, 
which was granted him f . 



" The town of Bisnegur, or Chandegy, is eight leagues in circuit, and 
so powerful, that it supplies the prince with a hundred thousand horse, 
Narsingue, the capital of the country, is built in a stately stile, and is 
about the compass of Florence. The laws are so well observed, that 
none breaks them, for fear of punishment. The citizens are obliged to 
serve their king on pain of death, or amputation of hands and feet. 

To keep his army more full, he entertains the finest women in the 
world, most gallantly dressed. Many lords and princes, from other 
parts, flock hither to fight under Mars and Venus: but are not admitted 
to the ladies till they have shewn some trophy of their valour. 

They load their elephants and horses with iron and steel hoops, three 
fingers broad, keen as razors, and dart them dexterously, and swift a 
arrows: they poison them; and the large wounds they make are mor- 
tal. They have swords, bucklers, javelins, bows, cross-bows, and some 
fire-pikes. The king of Ternassery J is continually at war with the 
king of Narsingue : he is a gentile, and hath above a thousand elephants 
trained to war, and of the largest size of the East, covered to the 
ground with beeves' hides ; and, over them, with divers trappings. 
Those hides are fastened underneath the belly with iron chains, and 
are difficult to be got off. Four men may easily fight upon each ele- 
phant, with broad bucklers made of tortoise-shell. He who guides 



t Dow, Vol.11, p. 278. Purchas, Vol, I. (B) p. 584. 



t See Le Blanc, p. 80. 



ELEPHANT ESTABLISHMENT OF AKBAR. 

the beast is the best armed of the five, being most exposed to the ene- 
my. Their darts have three sharp points or heads, with a ball of iron 
in the middle, which serves for counterpoise. They are a warlike, 
courteous, voluptuous nation, and have fair women, whom they treat 
in gardens full of rare fruits. They delight in perfumes, chiefly musk; 
I quartered at a Jew's, who had a great quantity f. 

* * * * 

" The muster of elephants precedes all others. Every day a khaseh 
elephant, with his housings and trappings, is brought to the front of 
the palace : and on the first day of every Persian month, ten elephants 
are brought; and on every succeeding day, ten hulkahs of ten each. 
On Mondays, ten hulkahs of twenty each, are brought to be muster- 
ed f. 

There are always set apart for his Majesty's (Akbar) riding, one 
hundred and one elephants. The daily allowance of food is in weight 
two hundred pounds, the same as for the others, but differs in quality. 
Most of these have, moreover, five seers (ten pounds) of sugar, four 
seers of ghee, and half a maund (about forty pounds) of rice, with 
round and long pepper, &c. and some have a maund and half of milk 
mixed up with their rice. In the sugar-cane season, each elephant 
has daily three hundred canes, more or less, for the space of two 
months. His Majesty rides every kind of khaseh elephant, making 
them obedient to his command ; and frequently in the rutting season 
he puts his feet upon the tusks of the elephant and mounts him; to 
the astonishment of those who are used to these animals. Magnifi- 

f Travels of Vincent Le Blanc, p. 81. The Visiapore ladies were celebrated for 
their extraordinary beauty. See Montesquieu, Persian Letter, XC VI. 
X Ayeen Akbery, Vol. I. p. 167. 

oo 



281 



282 TRAVELLING CARRIAGE DRAWN BY AN ELEPHANT. 

CHAP, cent amarees are put upon the backs of swift paced elephants, and 
^-p-v-^y which serve for places of repose on journies. An elephant so capa- 
risoned is always ready at the palace *. 

When his Majesty goes on a journey, he takes with him a carriage 
of his own contrivance, of such a magnitude as to contain several 
apartments, with a hot bath: and it is drawn by a single elephant. 
This moveable bath is extremely useful, and very refreshing on a jour- 
ney. Other carriages are drawn by camels, horses and oxen f . 

The Emperor Akbar built an amphitheatre at Agra, for elephant 
fights |. 

On the return from Cashmere, in 1597, many elephants died of 
fatigue and famine ; they sometimes leaned on their trunk as a staff to 
enable them to support their loads. The prince was assaulted by a 
lioness, which he wounded with a dart, then with a shot ; a soldier 
came on and slew her, but with the loss of his own life. The prince 
was upon a female elephant. 

The next year Akbar went to Agra; he had eight hundred elephants, 
and seven thousand camels, to carry his tents and provisions ; yea, his 
secretary was at the same time provided with seven hundred camels, and 
seventy elephants, for his own use. The king conducted in this expe- 
dition above one thousand elephants instructed for fighting. Brampore 
fell into his hands. Miram, the king, had fled to Syra, where he 
had three thousand pieces of ordnance; the governor, and seven other 
commanders, were all renegado Mahomedans. Akbar had two hun- 
dred thousand men, but prevailed more with bribes ; and Syra fell §. 

On Tuesday, the Emperor sits in judgment, and hears both parties 
with patience. He sometimes sees, with too much delight in blood, 
the executions done by his elephants. 

* Ayeen Akbery, Vol. I. pp. 127, 128. f ^id. p. 225. % Ibid. Vol. II. p. 37. 
§ Purchas, (B)Vol.I. p. 588. 



SPLENDID ELEPHANTS.— ENGLISH COACH. 283 

" The Emperor Jehanghir was so rich in jewels, that I never saw such CHAP, 
inestimable wealth. His greatest elephants were brought before him, ^^-^-O 
some of which being lord elephants, had their chains, bells, and furni- 
ture of gold and silver, attended with gilt banners and flags; and eight 
or ten elephants waiting on him, clothed in gold, silk, and silver. Thus 
passed about twelve companies, most richly furnished ; the first having 
all the plates on his head and breast set with rubies and emeralds, be- 
ing a beast of a wonderful stature and beauty. They all bowed down 
before the king; who, with some gracious compliment to me, rose and 
went in." * * * 

The king at noon sat out at the Durbar, where the prince brought 
his elephants, about six hundred, rich in trappings and furniture ; and 
likewise ten thousand horse, with heron top feathers in their turbans, 
all in gallantry; himself in cloth of silver embroidered with great 
pearls, and shining with diamonds like a firmament. The king em- 
braced him with much affection, and gave him a sword and dagger of 
gold set with precious stones, valued at one hundred and forty thou- 
sand rupias; an elephant and two horses, with all the furniture of gold 
and precious stones; and one of the new coaches made in imitation of 
that sent by my master. He commanded the English coachman to 
drive him to his tents ; he sat in the middle, the sides open ; his chief- 
est nobles on foot walking by him, about four miles. All the way he 
threw quarter rupias, being followed by a multitude; and, reaching 
his hand to the coachman, he put into his hat a number of rupias f . 

* * * * 

" Next followed the English coach, now covered and richly trim- 
med; which the Emperor had given to the queen Normahall, who 



t Sir Thomas Rowe. Purchas, Vol. II. pp. 542, 550, 558. 
o o 2 



284 BATTLES OF ELEPHANTS. — HORSES. — CROCODILES. 

CHAP, rode in it. After, followed twenty royal elephants for his own ascend- 
\« e ^v-"*»-^ ing, so rich, that, in precious stones and furniture, they braved the Sun. 

His wives, on their elephants, were carried like parakitoes, half a mile 
behind him. When the king came to the door where his eldest son was 
a prisoner, he called for him; he came and made reverence; his sword 
and buckler in his hand, and his beard grown to his middle ; a sign of 
disfavor. The king commanded him to ascend one of the spare ele- 
phants, and so rode next him, to the extreme applause and joy of 
all men. The king gave him a thousand rupias to cast to the peo- 
ple f. 

The great general Khan Cannawe liveth at Brampore. On the 12th 
October, 1609, he returned from the wars, with one thousand five 
hundred elephants, ten thousand camels, three thousand dromedaries, 
&c. This city is far bigger than London. Hence we travelled to- 
wards Agra, and met with store of wild elephants, lions, and tigers. 
* * * The elephants that fight before the Mogul, are parted with 
rockets of wild-fire, made round like hoops, which are pushed in their 
faces. Some fight with wild horses, six horses to an elephant; which 
he kills by clasping his trunk about their necks; and, pulling them 
to him, breaks their necks with his tusks. Condemned persons may 
crave the combat with the lion. One was seen, who at the first encoun- 
ter felled the lion with his fist ; but was soon torn in pieces before the 
king. Master Fitch and Captain Hawkins saw also crocodiles kept 
in ponds for like purpose, one of which killed two horses at a time J. 

* * * * 

An English mastiff § seized an elephant by the trunk, and kept his 
f Sir T. Rowe, A. D. 1615. Purchas, Vol. II. 559. 

t Purchas, (B) Vol. I. p. 601. § These were probably bull-dogs. 



AN ENGLISH DOG FIGHTS AN ELEPHANT. 285 

hold so fast, that the elephant, having tossed him in the air for some CHAP. 

VIII. 

time, at last swung him off; but did not care to come near him a w-v*^/ 
second time. This being told to the Mogul, enhanced the reputation 
of the English dogs: they were carried about in palankines along with 
his Majesty, and he fed them himself with a pair of silver tongs made 
for that purposef . 

* * * * 

The daily diversions of the Mogul, except on Fridays, were, to see 
the lions, leopards, tigers, and elephants fight with one another. * * # 

The city of Amedabat is obliged to maintain fifty elephants. The 
governor's daughter was married to the Mogul's second son. Her fa- 
ther sent her, with an equipage of twenty elephants, and six thousand 
waggons laden with riches. The governor kept fifty elephants for his 
own use. The Mogul never stirs abroad without a guard of one hun- 
dred thousand men ; at the head of which march one hundred ele- 
phants, covered with scarlet velvet and brocades. I arrived in Eng- 
land in 1639. Lord Strafford did me the honor to introduce me to his 
Majesty to kiss his hand, and afterwards to the Queen ; both their 
Majesties being pleased to bestow some time to hear the relation of 
my travels, especially in Muscovy and Persia J. 

# * * * 

Aurungzeb was twenty days before Daman, and resolved on storm- 
ing it on a Sunday, believing that Christians would not defend it on 
that day. The place was commanded by an old soldier, who had 



t Barclay, Universal Traveller, p. 498. t Albert de Mandelsloe's Travels. 



286 RHINOCEROSES LED ABOUT ON JOURNIES FOR PARADE. 

CHAP, served in France, and had three sons with him; and there were eight 
VIII 

hundred gentlemen, and other stout soldiers. 

Aurungzeb had forty thousand men. The governor made a sally 
after midnight with all his cavalry, and part of his infantry. He at- 
tacked the quarter that was guarded by two hundred elephants, among 
which, in the dark, they flung a great number of fire-works, which so 
affrighted them, that they turned upon the besiegers with such fury, 
that, in two or three hours, half of Aurungzeb's army was cut in 
pieces; on which he raised the siege; nor would he after that have 
any thing more to do with the Christians f. 

* * * *■ 

After the court elephants were paraded, combats were given of rhi- 
noceroses, buffaloes, lions, tigers, nilgaus, gazelles, leopards to hunt 
the gazelles, &c. 

* * * * 

Four hundred camels and one hundred and twenty elephants carry 
the tents; there are also tents for the best elephants, and other ani- 
mals that are always carried for sports and magnificence, and also for 
lions, rhinoceroses, and other animals, led for parade. We had above 
one hundred and fifty thousand animals, horses, camels, and elephants, 
on this expedition to Cashmere. 

Roshinara Begum was mounted on a lusty Pegu elephant, in a mik- 
dember, all shining with gold and azure, attended by five others equally 
splendid, with the ladies of her household. A long file of sixty or more 
elephants, thus marching gravely, had a grand and royal appearance %. 

t Tavernier, P. II. B. I. Cb. XII. + Bernier's Journey to Cashmere. 



FIVE WILD ELEPHANTS KILLED. 



287 



CHAP. 
VIII. 

* * * * V^^Y—ak. 

The Nabob of Oude, in 1794, went on a bunting expedition to- 
wards the mountains which separate India from Thibet. He keeps a 
great number of elephants for his pleasure, and had with him of his own 
on this occasion, above a thousand. A troop of one hundred and se- 
venty wild ones was met with, and, being surrounded, the tumult, 
noise, and confusion, where fourteen hundred elephants were engaged, 
it is not possible to describe. Five wild ones were killed, and twenty- 
one were captured f. 

# * * # 
RUSSIA. 

"After this, the Emperor Pheodor Ivanovich was taken out of his 
chair of majesty, having upon him a robe, adorned with precious 
stones and orient pearls in great quantity, in weight two hundred 
pounds; the train borne up by six dukes, his chief imperial crown 
upon his head, and his staff imperial in his right hand, of an unicorns 
horn, three feet and a half in length, and beset with rich stones ; it was 
bought at Augsburg for seven thousand marks sterling." Seen by 
Jerom Horsley, Gent, servant to her Majestic, A. D. 1584. Pur- 
chas, HI. 743 The staff was, it is to be presumed, the horn of a rhi- 
noceros, of extraordinary length, (it is possible that it was that of a 
narwal), and valued, from the property it is supposed to possess, of 
being a charm and an antidote against poisons. This notion is univer- 

t Note in Sonini's Buffon, Vol. XXVIII. A full description appeared, soon 
after the hunting took place, in an English Magazine. 



288 VIRTUES OF THE HORN OF THE RHINOCEROS. 

CHAP, sal, and rhinoceroses have been esteemed as highly valuable in all coun- 
VIII. 
u»-y^ tries. 

The writer was going in his budgerow through the Sunderbunds, an 
extensive uninhabited district of Bengal, full of rivers, and near the 
sea, when he came to an open place, where a Portuguese and his fa- 
mily resided : his pursuit was that of a lime burner ; he employed 
some Indians to pick up shells, a species of the Buccinum, which were 
in plenty, scattered in the swamps and woods. The lime made from 
the shells, was for chewing, when properly prepared, with the betel 
leaT and areca nut. In this dangerous pursuit, he had lost many men 
by the tigers; but still he found successors. This man possessed a 
small horn of a rhinoceros that had been killed in the woods ; and had 
the same universal opinion of its virtues. On being asked how it 
ought to be used, he said, that he put a small quantity of water in the 
concave part of the root, when held with the point downwards ; and 
stirred the water with the point of an iron nail, till it was discoloured, 
when the patient was to drink it: that it had a pungent taste, and 
that he had given it with success to a person who had been bitten by a 
dog, supposed to be mad. 

The reputation of the horn, in this and other instances, is probably 
derived from the patients not having been poisoned, and the dogs not 
mad. 

# # * # 

The Czar, Ivan Vassilivitch takes great pleasure in hunting fallow- 
deer: he also loves fowling, he has three hundred falconers, and the 
best ger-falcons in the world, which are brought from Siberia. Har- 
ris's Voyages, Vol. II. 477. 



* # # * 



WILD BEASTS IN POLAND. 289 

The king of Persia sent the Czar an elephant, but it died, on its 
way to Moscow, at Zaritza. — Le Bruyn, Vol. I. p. 95. 



The ambassadors and some of their friends took a walk, about a 
league from Astracan, to see the habitations of the Tartars. Every 
hut had its hawk or falcon. We met one of their princes return- 
ing from his sport with his hawk on his fist. — Olearius, p. 132, 



GRAND SEIGNIOR. 



Once every year the Grand Seignior recreates himself with hawking, 
and also appoints a general hunting match. A space of ground is en- 
closed, of five or six days' riding. All the neighbouring inhabitants are 
ordered to appear. When the game is driven into a narrow com- 
pass, the sultan, from an eminence, has the pleasure of seeing the 
wild boars, wolves, foxes, and hares, killed with clubs ; and the phea- 
sants and partridges by his falcons*. 



POLAND. 



The woods in Poland are well stored with deer, bears, wolves, 
boars, &c. The Masovian forests have plenty of elks as large as 
horses, with bodies like the stag ; wild asses ; buffaloes ; bisonets, in shape 
and horns like an ox, with manes like horses', beards on their lower jaws, 



* Cornelius Le Bruyn, 105. 
pp 



290 



THE URUS.— WILD HORSES. 



CHAP, hard rough tongues, a bunch on their backs, and a smell of musk: 
^-^^J they are incredibly strong. The Polish nobility hunt them, and es- 
teem their flesh, when powdered, a great dainty. The urus, called by 
the Polanders Thur, is a kind of wild ox, bigger, stronger, and swifter 
than the tame : he has a short black beard, a bush of hair upon his 
forehead, and horns very wide and large: Pliny says the Romans 
made lanterns of them. In the deserts near the Dnieper, they have 
a sheep like a goat, with short legs, and horns straight up. There 
are wild horses in the Ukraine, excellent as food: and in Lithuania 
and Muscovy, a beast called Rossomoko, with the body and tail of a 
wolf, and the face of a cat, which feeds on dead carcasses *. 



* Doctor Bernard Conner, Physician to John Sobieski. Harris's Voy. II. 508. 
As the Mongols were in Poland, that country may have furnished them with some 
of the animals, of which bones have been found. 



291 



CHAPTER IX. 



Of Roman and Greek Wars in which Elephants were employed. 

Marches of Hannibal and Asdrubal over the Alps, with a great 

number of Elephants. Arduous march of the Consul Mar- 

cius, with Elephants, over the Olympic chain of Mountains in 

Greece. Of Acilius, with Elephants, over mount Corax. — — 

Elephants killed, and some captured by Cato, in the defile of 
Thermopylce. 

Alexander the Great, in the battle with Porus, captured all the 
elephants that were not slain ; besides which Bargantes and Omphis 
presented him with one hundred and twenty. — Q. Curtius. Arrian. 

The kings, on the opposite shore of the Ganges, were waiting with 
an immense army, chariots of war, and several thousands of elephants, 
trained for war. Androcottus, who reigned not long after, made Se- 
leucus a present of five hundred at one time. — Plutarch, " Alexander." 

All the other kings having united their forces against Antigonus, B.C. 300. 
Demetrius left Greece in order to join him. Had Antigonus (sup- 
posed to be the illegitimate brother of Alexander the Great) restrained 
his ambition to govern the world, he might have kept the preeminence 
among the successors of Alexander : but, by his arrogance, he exasper- 
ated many young and powerful princes. He met the enemy at Ipsus 



B.C. 321. 



292 



ELEPHANTS FIRST USED IN ITALY. 



CHAP, in Phrygia. He had seventy thousand foot, ten thousand horse, and 
IX. 

^-v-*- ; seventy-five elephants. The confederate forces were sixty-four thou- 
sand foot, ten thousand five hundred cavalry, one hundred and twenty 
armed chariots, and four hundred elephants. Lysimachus, Seleucus, 
Ptolemy, Cassander, Antigonus, and Demetrius, were all present. 
Pyrrhus accompanied Demetrius, and, though but young, bore down 
all before him. Demetrius, pursuing the enemy imprudently, was in- 
tercepted by their numerous elephants. His father, Antigonus, was 
killed; and Demetrius fled to Ephesus with only five thousand foot, 
and four thousand horse. The kings dismembered the conquered 
dominions; and each took a limb. — Plutarch, Dem. and Pyrrhus. 

B.C. 280. Pyrrhus was the first who brought elephants into Italy. They were 
a part of those brought by the Greeks from India, He had twenty in 
the battle of Heraclea, in Lucania : they had towers upon their backs, 
full of bow-men; and the sight was truly terrifying*. A Homan sol- 
dier cut off the trunk of one of the elephants with his sword. Pyrrhus 
owed the victory to his elephants. — Catrou and Rouille, Vol. II. 
p. 444. 

B.C. 276. Curius Dentatus was near Beneventum. Pyrrhus attacked him in 
the Taurasian fields. On the first onset, a great number of the Epi- 

* When Fabricius went to Epirus to treat about the ransom and exchange of 
prisoners, Pyrrhus received him with particular distinction, having- been informed 
that he was highly valued by the Romans for his probity and martial abilities, but 
that he was extremely poor. Pyrrhus privately offered him gold as a pledge of his 
friendship, which Fabricius refused. The next day the king, knowing that he 
had never seen an elephant, ordered the largest he had to be armed and concealed 
behind a curtain in the room where they were to be in conference. On a sign being- 
given, the curtain was drawn, and the elephant, raising his trunk over the head of 
Fabricius, made a horrid and terrifying roar. The Roman turned about without 
being in the least discomposed, and said to Pyrrhus, smiling:, " Neither your gold 
yesterday, nor your beast to-day, has made any impression upon me." — Plutarch, 
" Pyrrhus." 



ELEPHANTS IN GREECE. 293 

rots were killed, and some of their elephants taken. Curius now, with CHAP. 

IX. 

new ardour, drew up in a plain. The king, assisted by his elephants, k^^-^^j 
repulsed the Romans. A corps de reserve now attacked the elephants, 
with burning torches in one hand, and their swords in the other. The 
fire, pushed against these huge and furious animals, put them to flight, 
and created confusion. 

A young elephant, which had been wounded in the battle, made a 
terrible roaring. The mother immediately ran to her young one, 
which drew after her all the other elephants, and caused such disorder, 
that the Romans gained a complete victory. The consul, it is said, 
had but twenty thousand troops in all. Pyrrhus had eighty thousand 
foot, and six thousand horse ; of which thirty-three thousand (some 
say only twenty thousand) were slain: eight elephants were captured, 
four died of their wounds, and four were led in triumph at Rome. — 
Catrou, II. 483, 486. Orosius, B. IV. Ch. 2. Eutropius, B. 2. 

Pyrrhus had many elephants at the siege of Argos. The noise made B.C. 272. 
by the elephants, and the gates not proving sufficiently large to admit 
them through with the castles upon their backs, disconcerted all his 
measures, and produced terrible confusion. Pyrrhus was slightly 
wounded with a javelin through the breast-plate while he was fight- 
ing with the soldier; the mother of the latter, from the top of a house, 
beheld her son thus engaged, and threw a large tile with both 
hands at Pyrrhus, which struck his head. The king of Macedon fell 
from his horse senseless. One Zopyrus killed the king; and his head 
was sent to Antigonus. — Plutarch, " Life of Pyrrhus." 

Regulus, in the battle of Adis, not far from Carthage, captured B.C. 255, 
eighteen elephants. — Catrou, II. 576. 

At Panormus (Palermo) the Carthaginian officer, named Asdrubal, B.C. 250, 
drew up his elephants, one hundred and forty in number, in one line. 
The Roman archers poured down a shower of darts upon them and 



294 ELEPHANTS IN SICILY. 

their guides, from the top of the ramparts of the city, by which these 
monstrous beasts were rendered furious : some threw their guides, and 
trod them under foot; others fell into the ditch, where they were kill- 
ed ; many, having no guides, rushed through the Carthaginian pha- 
lanxes, beat down the men with their trunks, and trampled upon what- 
ever stood in their way. This was the happy minute Metellus waited 
for. He attacked the battalions in flank, and cut many of the troops 
in pieces. Some fled to the fleet which lay along the coast of Panor- 
mus, but were either killed by the elephants or drowned. Twenty-six 
elephants were taken or slain at the first onset: the rest were running 
about the plain, or wandering in the fields without their guides ; but 
they obeyed the voices of their former masters, and were gathered to- 
gether. Metellus sent one hundred and four, or more, to the coast; 
where he ordered a large raft to be constructed, and covered with 
earth ; it was planked at the sides, high enough for the security of the 
elephants. The raft was placed upon empty barrels, and the whole 
number crossed the straits to Rhegium, with the utmost quietness 
during the passage. Livy and Seneca make the number one hundred 
and twenty. Dion one hundred and thirty-eight. Pliny one hundred 
and forty-two. — Catrou, II. p. 591. 
B.C. -221. Hannibal, on the deaths of his father Hamilcar and his brother-m- 
law Asdrubal, succeeded to the command of the army in Spain: he 
was twenty-six years of age. Althea was taken by assault (near To- 
ledo).— Catrou, III. 40. 
B.C. 219. Hannibal gained a victory on the banks of the Tagus, over the Car- 
petani. (Toledo was their capital, according to Pliny.) He had 
forty elephants in the battle, and numbers of the Spaniards were trod- 
den to death by them. — Catrou, III. 47. 

Saguntum, after a siege of six months, was taken : and Hannibal 
passed the winter at New Carthage. He received a reinforcement of 
B.C. 218. fourteen elephants from Africa. 



HANNIBAL CROSSES THE ALPS. 



Leaving the command in Spain to his brother Asdrubal, he set out 
on his expedition to Italy with fifty thousand foot, nine thousand 
horse, and thirty-seven elephants. — Rendezvous at Illiberis (Collioure 
in Rousillon). The army encamped at Nismes. The Rhone was cross- 
ed at Montfaucon, nearly opposite Orange*, and the army marched 
upon the east bank of the Rhone through Montelimart and Valence to 
Viennef: eastward to St. Genis, and north to Yenne, where the Alps 
commence, both upon the Rhone: from Yenne to Chambery, and 
thence to Montmelian, Conflans, Moustier, Aime, and Scex, all five 
upon the right bank of the Isere. Hannibal lost many men and cattle 
by the assaults of the mountaineers, who rolled down fragments of 
rock, and attacked his advanced guard ; but the elephants stopped 
their fury. 

The army reached the little Saint Bernard. It was now the 26th of 
October, and upon the summit of their passage over the mountain, 
there had recently been a fall of snow, under which the old snow was 
hard, compact and slippery. The surface being cleared, the tents were 
pitched, by breaking holes in the ice ; and the army reposed tAvo days. 

The descent appeared more difficult and dangerous than ascending. 
The Numidians, by the use of fire, (some historians say, that vinegar 
was used on this occasion), and iron instruments, made a hollow way, 
so as to lessen the declivity ; through which men, horses, and ele- 
phants passed with a little more ease. The army was six days in de- 
scending ; making fifteen days for the whole journey over the Alps. 

* See the Map. The very curious silver medal, with the head of Hannibal, and 
the other, supposed to be that of Dido, is from Hayni. Del Tesoro Brittannico, 
Vol. I. p. 143. Hannibal's name is in Punic characters, (in the possession of the 
Earl of Pembroke). 

f Brancus and his younger brother having quarrelled, appealed to Hannibal, 
who took part with Brancus, and left him established in the kingdom (of the Allo- 
broges). This, and the hostility of the Gauls, retarded his march. 



ELEPHANTS DROWNED IN THE ARNO. 

It was now, on its arrival in Insubria, reduced to twenty thousand 
foot, and six thousand horse : the number of elephants lost is not men- 
tioned. The men were so pale and ghastly, that they appeared like 
skeletons newly raised from the dead : or hairy savages born in a de- 
sert. The march was by St. Didier, Aoste, Bard, Ivree, and Chivas, 
to Turin. (This account of the march is taken from the " Histoire 
du Passage des Alpes par Annibah" d'apres la narration de Polybe, 
comparee aux recherches faites sur les lieux. Par J. A. De Luc, 
Geneve, 1818.) See, also, Catrou, Vol. III. and Rees's Cyc. Cartha- 
ginians." 

Hannibal joined the Insubrians and took Turin. He gained a vic- 
tory over Scipio on the banks of the Tessin, about five miles north of 
Pavia. 

A large body of Gauls deserted from Scipio, and went over to Han- 
nibal, who gained a victory over Sempronius on the banks of the Tre- 
bia ; in which the elephants killed a great number of the Romans. 

In crossing the Appennines, the Carthaginian army was overtaken 
among the rocks by a terrible tempest: many men, horses, and seven 
of the small number of elephants they had left, after the battle of Tre- 
bia, were starved to death *. By this distress Hannibal was driven 
back, and encamped about ten miles from Placentia, where he again 
fought a battle with Sempronius, with loss to both armies. After 
this the Carthaginians marched for Etruria. " The Arno was swelled 
to a great height, and Hannibal lost many men and beasts, particular- 
ly of the elephants, of which the only one remaining was that Getulian 
beast on which he was mounted." — Madan's Juvenal, Sat. X. note 
157. 

* Twelve or fifteen would be a small number out of thirty-seven; which would 
leave a few to lose in the Val. d'Arno afterwards. The context by no means re- 
quires that only one was left, on the retreat from the Appennines, nor is there 
mention of any being lost in the last battle with Sempronius. 



B.C. 216. 



QUICK MARCH WITH ELEPHANTS. 297 

Hannibal gained the battle of Thrasymene, and the next year the 
Romans were defeated by him at Cannae. 

Hannibal attacked Casilinum, near Capua, but failed : a party sal- 
lied out to attack him ; and was nearly cut off by his line of forty ele- 
phants, with which he had been supplied from Carthage. — Livy, B. 

XXIII. Ch. XVIII. Catrou, III. p. 148. Capua surrenders to Han- 
nibal, a city with which he becomes enchanted. 

Hannibal was defeated by Marcellus, at Nola; four elephants were B.C. 215, 
slain and two captured. — Livy, XXIII. Ch. XLVI. 

Asdrubal (the bald) in a battle in Sardinia, in which he had twenty 
elephants, was utterly defeated, by the Praetor Manlius. — Catrou, III. 
p. 205. 

Bomilcar landed from Carthage a reinforcement of troops and 
elephants, in the country of the Locri, for Hannibal. — Catrou, III. 
p. 209. 

Hannibal, while besieging the citadel of Tarentum, was necessitated B.C. 211. 
to march in haste to relieve Capua, his beloved city, reduced to hun- 
ger and great distress. Leaving his heavy troops and baggage in the 
country of the Brutii, he took with him his invincible cavalry and 
light armed infantry, and marched for Campania. His elephants, 
thirty-three in number, also accompanied him, and were as swift as his 
men and horses: their heavy carcasses did not sink under the fatigues of 
a hasty march: he encamped near Capua. In an attack by the Ro- 
mans, three elephants were killed.— Catrou, III. p. 299, Livy, B. 

XXIV. Ch VI. 

Hannibal was defeated by Caius Decimus Flavius atCanusium; B.C. 209, 
eight thousand men and five elephants were left dead. — Livy, B. 
XXVII. Ch. XII. 

Nine years had Asdrubal, Hannibal's brother, commanded in Spain ; 

QQ 



298 MARCH OF ASDRUBAL OVER THE ALPS. 

CHAP, during which period he destroyed the country of the Carpetani with 
IX. 

^^-v*-**^ fire, sword, and elephants. 

He fought the two Scipios at Ibera (Tortosa) and was defeated, but 
saved his elephants. — Livy, B. XXXIII. 

The Scipios gained a bloody victory over Asdrubal, near Cordova; 
in which five elephants were slain. — Livy, B. XXIII. Ch. XLIX. 

At Indibilis, in Arragon, Asdrubal was again defeated by the Sci- 
pios, and nine elephants were killed. — Catrou, III. p. 208, 

He was defeated, by the same generals, at Munda, in Granada: 
twelve thousand men and thirty-nine elephants were left slain upon 
the field of battle. 

At Aurinx, in Bcetica, Asdrubal lost another battle in which eight 
elephants were killed, and three were captured. — Livy, B. XXIV. 
Ch. XLII. 

Thus were the nine years employed, when he collected his troops, and 
fled to the Pyrenees, in order to join his brother in Italy. He gain- 
ed the affection of the Averni in Gaul, and was accompanied by a 
good number of them over the Alps, and also by the Mountaineers. 
He found the mountains more passable than when his brother had 
crossed them; the roads being worn by the numbers who had gone 
over them for the last twelve years. 
B.C. 207. Hannibal, being at Grumentum in Lucania, was attacked by the 
consul Nero, who killed eight thousand troops and four elephants : 
and captured seven thousand prisoners and two elephants. By a stra- 
tagem Hannibal reached Metapontus, in the gulf of Tarentum, and 
recruited his army with the troops under Hanno. 

In the mean while Asdrubal had unexpectedly passed the Alps in 
the short space of two months. Of his large force he had remaining 
forty thousand foot, eight thousand horse, and fifteen elephants : his 
army increased on his arrival in Italy. 



MANY ELEPHANTS IN ITALY. 



299 



He laid siege to Placentia, but failed in his attempt, and proceeded CHAP. 

lis.* 

to Umbria. His letters to Hannibal were intercepted. On this dis- 
covery, Nero hastened to meet Asdrubal. After encamping near 
Sena, the two armies fought on the banks of the Metaurus. The ele- 
phants being attacked at once by horse and foot, turned their rage 
against their own army: some grew furious and ran about, having 
thrown their guides, treading down the battalions. Asdrubal had 
ordered their managers to carry a kind of knife and mallet ; and to 
destroy such as were ungovernable, by driving the knife with all their 
strength, into the joint which connects the head with the neck. Six 
were thus dispatched. Asdrubal, covered with blood, and distracted 
with the slaughter of his troops, rushed into the midst of a Roman 
battalion, and died fighting. Fifty-five thousand Carthaginians were 
slain, and four elephants were captured. — Livy, B. XXVII. Catron, 
410 to 416. 

When Hannibal's brother marched, by the Alps, to Italy, he left B.C. 206. 
the command in Spain to Asdrubal, the son of Gisco, whose army con- 
sisted of seventy thousand foot, forty-five thousand horse, and thirty- 
two elephants. Scipio, with an inferior force, defeated him at Baecu- 
la: and in the retreat, (during which there was a violent tempest), de- 
stroyed all his troops except six thousand : this general and Mago, a 
brother of Hannibal, escaped to Cadiz. — Catrou, III. p. 435 to 439. 
Polybius, B. XI. 

Scipio invaded Africa, and at Utica again defeated the son of Gisco B.C. 203 
and Syphax, who had one hundred and forty elephants, six of which 
Scipio captured. — Catrou, III. pp. 511, 520. 

Mago, Hannibal's brother, invaded Italy by sea. The Praetor, Va- 
rus, and the Proconsul C. Cethegus, gained a great victory over him 
in Insubria, notwithstanding the terror inspired by his large front of 
elephants, which was drawn up before the Roman cavalry. Mago was 



QQ2 



300 



ALL THE CARTHAGINIAN ELEPHANTS CAPTURED. 



CHAP, wounded, and retreated towards Liguria. — Catrou, III. 537. Livy, 



B.C. 202. Hannibal followed Scipio to Africa. At the battle of Zama he 



placed eighty elephants in the front. These animals causing much 
slaughter among Scipio's light-armed troops, he ordered his Italian 
cavalry to dismount ; and, having himself done the same, they show- 
ered their darts upon the elephants, one of which was killed by Scipio. 
Some of the elephants threw Hannibal's right wing into confusion. 
After a tremendous conflict, Hannibal fled for refuge to Adrumetum. 
By the third article of the treaty which followed, the Carthaginians 
engaged to deliver up all the elephants which were trained for war, and 



B.C. 201. not to tame any more of these animals. Part of them were sent to 
Rome, and part given to Masinissa. At the triumph granted to Sci- 
pio, after the white bulls and other victims to be offered in sacri- 
fice, the elephants, taken from the enemy, followed in the procession. 
—Catrou, III. 553 to 571. 

B.C. 200. The Romans, for the first time, employ elephants in their wars. 

A battle is fought with Philip, King of Macedon, at Lycus. — Livy, 
B. XXXI. 

B.C. 197. At Cynocephalae, near Thebes, in Boeotia, Q. Flaminius defeated Phi- 
lip, King of Macedon, by his elephants producing disorder and confu- 
sion in the king's army. — Catrou, IV. 73. 

B.C. 192. Greece being now the seat of war, Antiochus the Great sent ten 
thousand foot and six elephants to Demetrias. Polixenidas was dis- 
patched to conduct the rest of the troops into Europe. The King of 
Syria threatened Larissa in vain. His first line consisted of elephants. 
— Catrou, IV. 162. 

B.C. 191. The Consul Acilius set out for Greece in the month of May, at- 
tended by L. Q. Flaminius, and the famous Cato as a legionary tribune. 
The consul landed with twenty thousand foot, two thousand horjse, and 



IX. 



XXX. Ch. XVIII. 



ANTIOCHUS. — CATO. — THERMOPYLAE. 



301 



fifteen elephants. He rested his army at Larissa, and then ravaged CHAP. 

IX. 

the country at Hypata, between Mount Pindus and Mount Othrys. 
All Thessaly fell off from Antiochus, and joined with the strongest 
side. Hannibal was with the king, and gave him excellent counsel ; 
but it was neglected. Cleoptolemus, a considerable citizen at Chalcis, 
had lent his house to Antiochus, with the daughter of whom the king 
became enamoured, married her, and was intoxicated with the charms 
of his new queen. The Asiatic reinforcements had not yet arrived. 
The king seized the celebrated defile of Thermopylae, fortified it, and 
guarded the summits of Mount (Eta which were nearest his camp, 
with his two thousand (Etolians. 

The consul was in great perplexity, and listened to the advice of 
Cato. Taking a detachment of troops, Cato ascended the difficult 
heights; and at the same time Acilius attacked the Syrians in front, 
and forced their first line. While he was endeavouring to force the 
second line, and suffering great loss of men by the pikes of the Asia- 
tics, Cato was seen in the rear by the troops of Antiochus, driving in 
the (Etolians. Some resistance was still making, when the king re- 
ceived a blow with a stone, which broke his teeth, and he withdrew. 
The Syrians flung down their arms and fled : fortunately, their ele- 
phants in the rear covered their flight, and saved a considerable 
part of the army. The Romans fell to plundering the camp, and 
killed many men, horses, and elephants. The remaining elephants 
were captured. 

Acilius, embracing Cato, said — " The service you have done the re- 
public is greater than the favours she has ever done you." This was 
saying a great deal of a new man. After this, the last exploit by which 
Cato signalized himself in war, he became a great reformer. — Plu- 
tarch, « Cato." Livy, B. XXXVI. Catrou, B. XXXIX. 

Acilius marched towards Chalcis. Antiochus, with his queen, retired 



302 



ALL THE ELEPHANTS OF ANTIOCHUS CAPTURED. 



CHAP, to Ephesus. After taking Chalcis, Heraclea, and Lamia, the consul 
v-*— v--**^ resolved to attack Naupactus, (Lepanto), for which purpose he, with 
his army and baggage, marched across Corax, the highest mountain in 
Greece. Great numbers of soldiers and beasts of burthen were killed 
by tumbling down the precipices. — Catrou, IV. 185. (It is not said 
how many elephants were in the army of the consul ; but, in addition 
to his own, there were those captured at Thermopylae.) 
A Truce was made. 

B.C. 190. In the battle at Magnesia, in Asia Minor, between Antiochus and 



L. C. Scipio, the Romans had thirty thousand foot, three thousand 
horse, and fourteen elephants. The Syrian forces were seventy thou- 
sand foot, twelve thousand horse, and fifty-four elephants, with towers 
of several floors full of slingers and archers, men mounted on camels, 
and Arabians upon dromedaries. Scipio's elephants were from Afri- 
ca, those of Antiochus from India. The latter vastly excelled the for- 
mer in strength, height, and courage ; therefore young Scipio placed his 
elephants only as a corps de reserve, in the rear of his army. In this 
bloody action, Antiochus lost fifty thousand killed and prisoners. On- 
ly fifteen elephants were taken alive, almost the whole of the remainder 
the Romans had killed in the battle, by cutting off their trunks with 
their swords. Antiochus fled to Sardis. — Livy, B. XXXVII. — 
Catrou, IV. B. XLI. 



B.C. 188. By the ninth article of the peace, the king engaged to deliver up all 

his elephants, and not to train up any more for war. 
B.C. 171. In the war between the Romans, and Perses, king of Macedon, the 



Consul Licinius received, while he was on the banks of the Peneus, a 
reinforcement of twenty-two elephants and two thousand troops. 
They were brought by Misagenes, a bastard son of Masinissa. — Ca- 
trou, IV. 393. 



B.C. 169. Perses, the king, was now in Macedon. The Consul Marcius, being 



DIFFICULT MARCH OVER MOUNTAINS. 



303 



with his army at Pharsalia, resolved on invading Macedon; and, not- CHAP, 
withstanding his age and corpulence, he bore the fatigues of the most ^-^-^ 
laborious march recorded in history. He sent forward Attalus and Mi- 
sagenes, with their auxiliaries, to level the roads as much as possible : 
they were followed by the beasts of burthen, waggons, and elephants. 
The consul, with his legions, brought up the rear. The great danger 
was in descending the mountains: some elephants and horses had 
tumbled down the precipices. In order to get down with more secu- 
rity, the Romans built bridges of boards, one below another, upon 
posts like piles, and covered them with earth. When an elephant 
had come near to the first bridge, the piles of it were cut, and the 
beast was suffered to slide down to the second bridge ; and so on, till 
at length they reached the valley. The army could not march above 
seven miles each day. Marcius himself confessed that Perses might 
have cut all his army in pieces, with a handful of men. 

The army, after great suffering, arrived in Macedon ; and, from ne- 
cessity, encamped in a deep valley, where the enemy might with 
stones have destroyed it. Perses became the jest of his soldiers, for 
losing these opportunities. When he received the intelligence, he was 
amazed and perplexed. He ordered all the gold and silver in the 
treasury at Pella, to be thrown into the sea : his ships at Thessalonica 
to be burnt, and all his valuable statues to be sent on board his ves- 
sels at Dium. He fled to Pydna. 

The consul, being distressed for provisions, returned to the fron- 
tiers of Thessaly : he again advanced, and the Roman fleet arrived. 
Meliboea, upon mount Ossa, and other places, were kept in awe by Ro- 
man detachments. The campaign ended without much weakening 
Perses. 

Polybius (the historian) arrived from the republic of Achaia, to of- 
fer the consul some troops to join Appius Claudius: but the offer was 
declined.— Catrou, B. XLIV. 



304 PAULUS ^MILIUS CROSSES OLYMPUS. 

CHAP. Paulus iEmilius, now sixty years old, was appointed consul ; and 
ix_. 

-^y^Y^^J was sent to Greece. He encamped on the banks of the Enipeus in 
Thessaly. Perses, who was encamped on the opposite bank, removed 
to Pydna. On this, Paulus iEmilius crossed, and marched towards 
Pythium, in order to join his detachment. This place stood on the 
highest summit of mount Olympus. The consul encamped in a val- 
ley on the sea shore. He mounted Olympus with his army, joined his 
detachment at Pythium, and descended with caution, not knowing what 
ambushes Perses might have prepared. Having reached the plain, 
the consul marched along the sea shore, in communication with his 
fleet; his troops being much distressed with thirst and fatigue, from 
the great heat. Having arrived near Pydna, the army was drawn up 
in battalia, in sight of the enemy, who was prepared and in good or- 
der. But the consul resolved to rest his army, and the pioneers form- 
ed a camp for the night. 

Perses had a fine army, of forty-five thousand troops. A battle was 
fought in the morning. The Romans were inferior in number, but 
killed twenty-five thousand, and lost incredibly few. No use was 
made of the elephants, the Romans being undeceived as to any advan- 
tage arising from them in battle : they were therefore employed in 
pursuing the Aglaspides when the first legion had routed them. In 
this action Cato, son of the censor, who had married the daughter of 
Paulus iEmilius, performed acts of valour, worthy his descent. Ne- 
vertheless, an inundation of Phalangites fell on the company he com- 
manded, and forced it to retire. In this retreat Cato perceived that 
he had dropped his sword, he therefore assembled some of his friends, 
and returned to the charge. This company of brave men fell with 
fury on the enemy, and made such a void round Cato, that he had 
time and room to look for his sword, and found it — an action which 
was very pleasing to Paulus iEmilius. As to Perses, his whole mind 



ANTIOCHUS ATTACKS JERUSALEM. 3 05 

and time were occupied in thinking of and attending to his vases CHAP, 
and other utensils of gold and silver: and in sparing his wealth, instead <^^y^u 
of making a liberal use of it among those of his defenders who had a 
just right to expect rewards. This contemptible conduct led to the 
loss of his wealth, his liberty, and his life ; and transferred the mighty 
kingdom of Alexander to the Romans; under whom it became a 
province. See Plutarch, " P. iEmilius." Livy, XLIV. XLV. Catron, 
Book XL VI. 

Antiochus, being humbled by the inflexible and haughty Roman am- B.C. 163. 
bassadors, resolved to vent his rage on Jerusalem. — Catrou, IV. 409. 
" The number of the king's army was one hundred thousand footmen, 
twenty thousand horse-men, and thirty-two elephants, exercised in bat- 
tle. The king, rising very early, marched fiercely to battle, and sounded 
the trumpets. And to the end they might provoke the elephants to 
fight, they shewed them the blood of grapes and of mulberries. More- 
over, they divided the beasts among the armies, and for every ele- 
phant they appointed a thousand men, armed with coats of mail, and 
with helmets of brass on their heads : and besides this, for every beast 
were ordained five hundred horsemen of the best. And upon the 
beasts, were there strong towers of wood, which covered every one of 
them, and were girt fast unto them with devices: there were also up- 
on every one, two-and-thirty strong men, that fought upon them, be- 
side the Indian that ruled him. Now. when the sun shone upon the 
shields of gold and brass, the mountains glistered therewith and shined 
like lamps of fire. Then Judas and his host drew near, and entered 
into the battle; and the king lost six hundred men. Eleazar, also 
surnamed Savaran, perceiving that one of the beasts, armed with royal 
harness, was higher than all the rest, and supposing that the king was 
upon him, ran forward courageously, slaying on the right hand and on 
the left, so that they were divided from him on both sides. Which 



RR 



\ 



;06 THE ROMANS CAPTURE ALL JUGURTHA'S ELEPHANTS. 

CHAP, done, he crept under the elephant and thrust him under and slew him : 
whereupon the elephant fell down upon him, and there he died. How- 
beit, the rest of the J ews, seeing the strength of the king, and the vio- 
lence of his forces, turned away from them. Then the king's army 
went up to Jerusalem to meet them, and the king pitched his tents 
against Judea, and against mount Sion." — 1 Maccabees, Ch VI. 

B.C. 134. Scipio, having the command in Spain, Micipsa sent him a reinforce- 
ment of elephants and cavalry by young Prince J ugurtha, who after- 
wards became so famous. — Catrou, V. 87. 

B.C. 111. Jugurtha, now King of Numidia, delivered to the Romans thirty ele- 
phants, money, &c. — Catrou, Vol. V. p. 207. 

B.C. 109. Q- Csecilius Numidicus, at the battle of Muthullus, in Africa, killed 
forty of Jugurtha's elephants, and captured four. — Catrou, Vol. V. 
p. 220. 

B.C. 108. Jugurtha delivered up to Metellus two hundred thousand pounds 
weight of silver, and all his elephants. — Catrou, Vol. V. p. 225. 

B.C. 53. Caesar had a vastly large armed elephant when he crossed the 
Thames at Oatlands, at the sight of which the Britons fled. — Polyae- 
nus, B. VIII. 

B.C. 46. Julius Caesar drew out before Thapsus, causing sixty-four elephants, 
which he had taken, with all their castles, armour, and ornaments, to 
pass by the town, to reduce Virgilius to reason. 

A veteran of the fifth legion, observing an elephant that was enraged 
with a wound which he had received, attack an unarmed sutler, crush- 
ing him under his knee till the weight had forced his soul to forsake 
his body, roaring all the while, and brandishing his proboscis, could no 
longer restrain himself from engaging the beast. The elephant, perceiv- 
ing him approach, forsook the dead body, caught his enemy up in his 
trunk, in armour as he was, and whirled him about in the air. The 
veteran, notwithstanding the peril he was in, maintained his presence 



SEPTIMIUS SEVERUS POSSESSES ELEPHANTS. 



307 



of mind, and cut the elephant's proboscis till he obliged him to forego CHAP, 
his prey. He retired, with a hideous roaring, to the rest of his com- v-^-y^/ 
panions. — Caesar's Com. " Africa," XVIII. 

Claudius invaded Britain, like a great Eastern monarch, with armed A.J). 43. 
elephants, and fifty thousand troops. — Milton's History of Britain. Ra- 
pin. Camden. 

When Didius Julianus was informed that Septimius Severus had A.J). 193. 
commenced his march, nothing was to be seen at Rome but horses, 
troops, and elephants, training for service*. —Bernard. 

In the battle between Alexander Severus and Artaxerxes, the Per- A.D. 230. 
sians had seven hundred elephants, of which two hundred were killed, 
and three hundred taken; the Emperor took with him eighteen to 
Rome. — Speech of Alexander Severus to the senate. Bernard, from 
Lampridius, Vol. I. p. 450. 

The Emperor Jovian, near the castle of Suma, was attacked by the A.D. 364. 
Persian cavalry, accompanied by a great number of elephants. The 
shock was great, but the Romans, taking advantage of a rising ground, 
threw darts, and wounded the elephants, which fled, and broke the 
line of cavalry, when the soldiers killed many of them, and of the Per- 
sians. The Romans marched forward four days, continually ha- 
rassed by the enemy. At length they crossed the Tigris, upon floats 
of skins fastened together. — Zosimus, p. 89. 

* All the elephants of course fell into the hands of Severus, on the overthrow of 
Julian. 



RR 2 



308 



CHAPTER X. 



Of Roman Amphitheatres, remains of which exist in Britain 

Italy France — — Spain •Sicily Greece — — Syria 

and other Countries. 

CHAP. JWeTELLUS brought to Rome, from the Sicilian war, one hundred 

X. & 
^-v^ and twenty elephants, which he had taken from Jugurtha. These 

were the first that were introduced into the Circus, in the year 251 
before Christ*. From this period, the passion for public exhibitions, 
and combats of wild beasts, spread not only in Italy, but throughout 
the JRoman empire, in all the provinces. Such was the general rage, 
that scarcely a fixed military station was without its circus or amphithe- 
atre of turf or timber. 

The size and form of the Circus, with the lists and goals, being found 
inconvenient, Caesar introduced the elliptic shape ; and henceforth these 
buildings were named " theatrum venatorium," or theatre for hunting; 

* The first permanent Circus (called Maximus) was built by Tarquinius Pris- 
cus between the Aventine and the Palatine hills: it was enlarged by Julius Caesar, 
Claudius, and Nero, when it contained two hundred and sixty thousand spectators: 
it was further increased by Hadrian, Constantine, and his son Constans. Many 
others were built of different sizes. The most perfect remains are those of the 
small circus, built by Caracalla, capable of holding eighteen thousand people. — ■ 
See Rees's Cyc. " Circus." 



AMPHITHEATRES. 30 

but, from their superior accommodations, they were likewise used for the CHAP. 

X 

combats of gladiators. They however, continued to be called Circus v^^X* 
as often as Amphitheatre, and the other names. 

Some were little more than natural valleys, with benches cut in the 
declivity of surrounding hills : others were elliptical excavations, with 
benches of turf, like that near Sandwich, in Kent ; some were partly 
excavated, and partly constructed with masonry, like the amphitheatre 
at Caerleon in Britain. There were also amphitheatres constructed to 
hold water, for the combats of aquatic and amphibious animals. 

Those built with timber were raised and taken down as occasion re- 
quired. Vespasian's amphitheatre is said, by Cassiodorus, to have cost 
as much to build as a capital city : and Martial relates, that, from every 
part of the empire, the Roman world crowded to the capital to be pre- 
sent at these grand games. Many vestiges of amphitheatres still re- 
main, and have been discovered in the following countries : — 

In Italy. — At Rome, Capua, Fidene*, Placentia, Verona, Aoustaf, 
Alba, Otriculi, Gariglio, Puzzuoli, Paestum, Cassino, Mola, Canusium. 
Lavinia %, 

France.— At Aries, Orange §, Autun, Treves ||, Paris** Nismes, 
Bourdeau. 

Spain. — At Italica, (Seville). 

* A few miles north of Rome; this theatre fell in the reign of Tiberius. Fifty 
thousand persons were killed or maimed. — Tacitus, Annal. IV. 
f Rees's Cyclop. 
% See Bernard, Vol. I. p. 185. 

§ Civitas Aurensis, called Colonia Secundanorum. The second legion were 
settled here. An amphitheatre is still to be seen Rees's Cyc. " Arausio." 

i| After the victory of Constantine the Great over the Franks and the Allemanni 
several of their princes were, by his order, exposed to the wild beasts in the Amphi- 
theatre at Treves (then the capital of Gaul).— Gibbon, Ch. XIV. 

** Gibbon, Ch. XIX. p. 177. 



310 AMPHITHEATRE AT DORCHESTER. 

CHAP Britain— At Richborough, Caerleon, Silchester, Dorchester, and 

A. 

^*-v^»^ other places. 

Sicily. — At Catanea, Agrigentum, Syracuse. 
Greece.— At Argos, Corinth. 
Candia. — At Gortina and Gerapitna. 

At Pola in Istria. At Delos, Ephesus, Chisico, Heraclea, Jerusalem, 
Caesarea. The two last were built by Herod * 

" Maiden Castle is the most entire and prodigious work in England, 
and, passing for a Roman stationary camp, it is surrounded by two pro- 
digious ditches, to which all I ever saw are trifles ; and at the entrance 
their number is increased by several others, and the way cunningly 
blinded by divisions. About the like distance to the north of the way 
is a piece of ground, called Pomeroy, (Pomcerium, as I suppose), which 
has in it also a large square, inclosed with a high bank, but without 
any ditch : on the outside there is a raised area, about ten yards broad, 
which shews its design could not be military. On the south side, 
about a furlong from Dorchester, is a place called Maumbury, being 
about an acre, inclosed with a high bank, which is a very pretty and 
entire amphitheatre f." 

The Roman Amphitheatre, close by the Roman road, and a quarter 
of a mile from Dorchester, is the most perfect structure of its kind 
remaining in England. It was first publicly noticed by Sir Christo- 
pher Wren, and is described by Dr. Stukeley, in his Itinerarium Cu- 
riosum. It is raised upon, and was probably framed of, solid chalk, 
cemented by mortar of burnt chalk; and covered with turf. Its 



* SeeRecVs Encyc. "Amphitheatre;" Le Bruyn's Travels; Dr. Stukeley's 
Itinerarium Curiosum; and Encyc. Brit. 

t Hutchins. Antiquities of Dorset, Vol. II. p. 172. 



AMPHITHEATRE AT SILCHESTER. 



311 



greatest height above the level of the arena was thirty feet ; the ex- CHAP, 
ternal greatest diameter three hundred and forty-three feet six inches : 
the external shortest diameter, three hundred and thirty-nine feet six 
inches : the internal longest diameter two hundred and eighteen feet : 
the internal shortest diameter one hundred and sixty-three feet six 
inches. The number of spectators which it was capable of accommo- 
dating is computed to be twelve thousand nine hundred and sixty *. 

" With respect to the games here practised, we may suppose them 
much the same as those used at Rome and other places, with relation 
to hunting and fighting with wild beasts f . Among other shows and 
diversions of beasts, we may safely imagine that our British bull-dogs 
bore a part, since the Romans trained them for the Italian amphi- 
theatres. 

In these parts of Britain, Vespasian fought thirty battles with the 
Britons J." In the quarto volume, describing the theatre, Dr. Stuke- 
ley conjectures that Vespasian had this theatre built in order- to flat- 
ter and amuse the vanquished. 

" At Silchester, in Hampshire, there is an amphitheatre, in bulk and 
shape and all points the same as that at Dorchester ; but not built of 
such solid materials, for it is chiefly clay and gravel. Eastward, to- 
wards the road, there is a pit ; there, it is sixty feet high on the out- 
side. 

The whole arena within is now covered with water about three 
feet deep : the bottom must be very solid to contain the water so many 
years : it is a most noble and beautiful concave, and has, for time im- 

* Rees's Encyc. " Dorchester." 

f At Frampton in Dorsetshire, extensive and very elegant Mosaic pavements 
(published by S. Lysons, 1807), were discovered, which represent horses, deer, 
leopards, and other animals. 

$ Dr. Stukeley, Vol. I. p. 165 to 175. See Ch. XIII. 



312 



AMPHITHEATRE AT CAERLEON. 



CHAP, memorial, been a yard for cattle, and a watering-pond*. There is an 

X. 

**~v~m*S ascent to it on the entrance side, that being upon the lowest ground : 
at the upper end, the level of the ground is not much below the top 
of the terrace, and vastly above that of the arena; so that I conceive 
the better sort of people went that way directly from the city into 
their seats: there is such a gap, too, in that part (from the ruin of the 
cave) where the wild beasts were kept. Surveying the whole, could 
not but put me in mind of that piece of Roman magnificence, when the 
emperors caused great trees to be taken up by the roots and plant- 
ed in the amphitheatres and circuses, pro tempore, to imitate forests 
wherein they hunted beasts, which is here presented in pure nature f." 
This amphitheatre appears to have contained five rows or terraces for 
spectators %. 



At Caerleon is an oval concavity, seventy-four by sixty-four yards, 
and six yards in depth, without doubt the site of a Roman amphithea- 
tre. Within the memory of persons now living, stone seats were dis- 
covered on opening the sides of the concavity: and in 1706 a figure of 
Diana, with her tresses and crescent moulded in alabaster, was found 
in this place. Caerleon (Isca Silurum) as described by Gyraldus 
Cambrensis, contained remains of splendid palaces, a gigantic tower, 
numerous baths, ruins of a temple, and a theatre, the walls of which 
are partly standing, aqueducts, vaulted caverns, stoves, tessellated 
pavements, bricks inscribed " Leg. II. Aug." an altar to the Emperor 
Aurelius Antonius, another to Jupiter Dolichenius as the patron of 
iron mines, statues, coins, inscriptions, Sec. §. 

* When the hunting- was concluded in Vespasian's amphitheatre, the arena was 
suddenly filled with water, in which aquatic animals were made to contend. 
Rees's Cyc. " Aiiiph." This refers to Rome; but it strengthens the conjecture, 
that the amphitheatre at Silchester was built by Vespasian. 

t Dr. Stukeley, Vol. I. p. 178. J Rees's Encyc. " Silchester." 

§ Rees's Encyc. " Caerleon." Cox's Tour in Monmouthshire. 



AMPHITHEATRE AT RICHBOROUGH.— AT YORK? 313 

" Upon an eminence at Richborough castle, is the (brick) carcass Cl ^ P " 
of a castrensian amphitheatre made of turf, I suppose for the exercise v^-y^y 
and diversion of the garrison; the soil of it is gravel and sand, and has 
been long so ploughed over that we need not wonder it is so level *." 

The reader will form his own conclusion, whether the following was 
an amphitheatre : " I saw," says Pennant, " for the first time, the 
path of Helen, (Merioneth), a road supposed to have been made by 
Helena, wife of the British Emperor Maximus. There are tumuli 
here, and five urns were found. Not far from Llyn Rathlin, is a very 
fine Roman camp and vestiges of a wall and ditch. Coins and urns 
are frequent here : the path of Helen runs into it. At a small distance 
from the camp is an oval inclosure, thirty-six yards long, and twenty- 
seven wide, surrounded by a high mound of earth, and an entrance at 
each end : near one end a part seemed to have been divided off by a 
wall, the foundations of which still remain f ." 

There must have been either a circus, or an amphitheatre at or near 
York. One of the forerunning signs of Severus's death, Spartian re- 
lates thus : " Whilst the games of the cirque were celebrating, as there 
were three figures placed, according to custom, upon the platform 
where the emperor's throne is, &c." See Ch. XIII. 

Three miles from Redruth, in Cornwall, there were the remains of 
an amphitheatre, as Dr. Stukeley had been told, with six tire of seats. 

" At Wolvedon, in the parish of Probus near Lanceston, where Ro- 
man coins have been found, there is an angular fort which has a wide 
deep ditch, the outer edge of which was faced upwards, with thin 
stones in cement; and which had round turrets or buttresses, such as 
Saxons, Danes, and Britons built not, as far as I can find. This is very 
singular in our country, where most of our ancient fortifications are 



* Dr. Stukeley, Vol.1, p. 125. 

s s 



f Tour in Wales, Vol. II. p. 103. 



SUPPOSED AMPHITHEATRES IN CORNWALL— AT CHESELBURY. 

circular, without any projections. From the artful fence of this ditch, 
as well as from the polygon which the whole forms, I guess it to be 
Roman f. 

Where these stone inclosures are circular, and distinguished by seats 
and benches of like materials, they were, no doubt, constructed thus 
for the convenience of spectators at plays, games, and festivals. But, 
as to delight the eye more than the ear, was most required, the amphi- 
theatrical form had the preference. In these amphitheatres of stone, 
the Britons did usually assemble to hear plays, and see sports and games, 
to quiet and delight the people ; an institution very necessary in all 
civil societies: these are called with us in Cornwall, where we have 
great numbers of them, plan an guare, viz, the plain of sport and pas- 
time. 1 he benches round, were generally of turf, as Ovid, talking of 
these places of sport, observes. 

We have one whose benches are of stone, and the most remarkable 
one I have seen: it is near the church of St. Just Penwith: an exact 
circle of one hundred and twenty-six feet in diameter ; the height from 
the area within, now seven feet ; but from the bottom of the ditch 
without, ten feet now, but formerly more. The seats consist of six 
steps, fourteen inches wide, a foot high, with one on the top of all, 
where the rampart is, seven feet wide. The plays were in the Cornish 
language, the subjects from scripture J." 

About a mile from Cheselbury, on the east side of the Avon, is a cu- 
rious earth work supposed to be a Roman amphitheatre. It is an 
oval : the bank is thirty feet wide, the southern segment five hundred 
and fifty feet in diameter, and seven hundred and twenty in compass §. 

* # * * 



f Borlace. Antiquities of Cornwall, p. 313. 
% Borlace, B. IV. Ch. VII. § Camden, Vol. I. p. 109. 



MAGNIFICENT AMPHITHEATRE OF SCAURUS. 3 

The most considerable antiquity in Jebilee is the remains of a noble CHAP 
theatre. The remaining semicircle is a hundred yards in compass, and 
there are seventeen windows, between which are large massy pillars, 
eleven feet thick, of firm stone, standing against the wall*. 

We found the ruins of an amphitheatre at Puzzeoli; another near 
to Mola, one at Delos and a statue of Diana ; — at Ephesus the ruins of 
a circus, an amphitheatre, and also ruins of the temple of Diana ; — a 
fine amphitheatre at Chisico, and the remains of a noble one at Hera- 
cleaf. 

M. iEmilius Scaurus, to make a strong impression on the minds of 
the people, chose (B. C. 58) to build a theatre in Rome, which was 
not to be a lasting monument, like that of Pompey, but to continue 
only during the time of his being in office. The scenes and decora- 
tions were a solid work of the most valuable materials. There were 
three orders of very fine pillars, raised one above another to a great 
height. The first rank of columns, was of rich marble, brought from 
Numidia, and thirty-eight feet high. The second rank was of crystal, 
an unusual thing, and never since imitated. The third was of light 
wood, very richly gilt : the heights were lessened in proper proportion. 
In the places between this forest of columns, stood three thousand sta- 
tues of brass upon suitable pedestals. The seats held eighty thou- 
sand persons. 

The number and magnificence of the habits of the actors, all in the 
eastern fashion, were so prodigious, that this mad extravagance ruined 
Scaurus, though very rich. The remains of this building were valued 
at a hundred millions of little sesterces (by Arbuthnot's calculation, 
sterling £807,291 : 13 : 4). 

* MaundrelPs Travels to Jerusalem, A.D. 1696„ 
t Cornelius Le Bruyn's Travels. 

SS2 



316 CROCODILES. — FIVE THOUSAND WILD BEASTS. 

CHAP. Five hundred panthers were let loose in the arena. Five crocodiles 
\ m ^~^m^ r and a hippopotamus, for the first time, were shewn alive. Scaurus had 
brought the ribs of a whale from Joppa, forty feet long*. 

The amphitheatre at Placentia is said to have been the largest in 
Italy. 

Vespasian began, and his son Titus finished, the Flavian amphithe- 
atre, called also the Coliseum. It is deservedly celebrated as a prodigy 
of building among the antients. At the solemn games exhibited when 
this theatre was dedicated, five thousand wild beasts, according to Eu- 
tropius ; nine thousand, according to Dio, were destroyed on its 
arena. 

We learn from a passage in St. Chrysostom that the beasts intended 
for the public games, were kept in the environs of cities; and Procopi- 
us makes particular mention of a spacious place in Rome called the 
Vivarium, appropriated to that usef. 

Maffei, in his elaborate treatise, shews, that amphitheatres of stone 
were not numerous, few cities in Italy could boast of them. Wooden 
ones were built in several parts of the empire J. 

This will account for bones of wild beasts being found in many places 
ichere there are no vestiges of amphitheatres. 



* Catrou, Vol. VI. p. 96. Pliny, Lib. XXXVI. 
f Rees's Encyc. " Amphitheatre." $ See Keysler's Travels. 



317 



CHAPTER XI. 



Sports and Combats in the Circus and Amphitheatre ; in which 

were slain, Elephants Rhinoceroses Hippopotami 

Bears Lions Tigers Hycenas Camelopards 

Crocodiles Ostriches, fyc.in surprising numbers. Grand 

Triumphal Processions at Rome. Chariots drawn by tamed 

Lions, Leopards, Tigers, Orixes * with one horn, Stags, fyc. 

So general was the passion for these diversions, that scarcely any 
camp or military station was without them. The people chose rather 
to live on bread and water in Rome, than lose these sights. 

Every savage animal that could be procured in the forests of Asia 
or Africa, was brought to be hunted: no cost was spared to fetch 
them. The shows were designed for the honour of Diana f. 

" All that with potent teeth command the plain, 
All that run horrid with erected mane ; 
Or proud of stately horns or bristling hair, 
At once the forest's ornament and fear; 

* Spelt also oryx, oryges. 

f Rees's " Amph." See Kennett, Part II. B. V. Ch. II. from which several of 
these extracts are taken. 



CHAP. 
XI. 



318 



WILD AND DOMESTIC ANIMALS SLAIN. 



CHAP. 
XI. 



Torn from their deserts by the Roman power, 
Nor strength can save, nor craggy dens secure." 



* 



" Part in laden vessels came, 

Borne on the rougher waves, or gentler stream; 
The fainting slave let fall his trembling oar; 
And the pale master feared the freight he boref.' : 



Sometimes animals were presented merely as strange sights and rari- 
ties ; such as crocodiles and outlandish beasts and birds. Others for 
combats or slaughter. For these purposes were introduced elephants, 
rhinoceroses, hippopotami, camelopards, zebras, lions, tigers, leo- 
pards, panthers, bears, hyaenas, ostriches, stags and deer of every kind, 
hares, and such like. There were three kinds of diversions. 

I. When the people were allowed to seize and secure what they 
could, for their own use, as deer, hares, sheep, boars, oxen, and all 
kinds of birds. A natural forest being represented by trees trans- 
planted into the circus or amphitheatre, the beasts were let in from 
their dens ; and, at a sign given by the Emperor, the people fell to 
hunting the animals; and each carried away what he killed. Tablets, 
or tickets, (tessera), were previously scattered among the multitude, 
entitling those who caught them to the animals inscribed upon them : 
they were termed Missilia. 

II. The combats of beasts admitted of great sport and variety. 
Sometimes an elephant was matched with a bull, a rhinoceros with 
a bear, a lion with a tiger, a bull with a lion. And deer were hunted 



f Claudian. 



i DIFFERENT MODES OF COMBATING. 

round the arena by a pack of dogsf . But the most wonderful sight 
was when, by converting the arena into a lake, huge aquatic animals, 
crocodiles, &c. were introduced to combat with wild beasts. At the 
Games of Carinus %, says Calphurnius, Eel. VII. 

Not only did I see wood-monsters there, 

But sea-calves also tugging with the bear. 

And that misshapen ugly beast withal, 

Which we, not without cause, the sea-horse call§. 

III. Men engaged with wild beasts, and had the common name of 
Bestiarii. The vilest malefactors were doomed to such combats. 
Others hired themselves at a set pay, like the gladiators, and had their 
schools, where they were instructed in such conflicts. Some of the 
nobility and gentry voluntarily undertook a part in these encounters. 
Even the softer sex was infected with t\iv& fancy. 

Sometimes, with naked breast, the sturdy w**** 
Shakes the broad spear against the Tuscan boar||. 



319 



CHAP. 
XI. 



* * * * 

The safety of the combatants consisted in nimbly turning and leap- 
ing, to elude their adversaries, while they assailed them with darts and 
spears: one man has been known to kill twenty animals let in upon 

t British bull-dogs, mastiffs, and beagles, were exported to Rome."__Dr. Hen- 
ry, " Hist, of Eng." 

t Carinus was governor of Britain and other provinces during the absence of his 
father in the East — Augustan Hist. " Carinus." 

§ Hippopotamus. See Gibbon,' Cb. XII. n. 88. Hakewill, 446. 

II Juvenal, Sat. I. 



VARIETY OF WILD BEASTS TAMED. 

him at once. The beasts, however, were in general successful; and 
were therefore commonly despatched by missile weapons thrown from 
the higher parts of the amphitheatre, out of the reach of the animals ; 
and usually in one show three or four hundred were thus slain. 

* * * * 

The Greeks and Romans tamed wild beasts. In the procession of 
Ptolemy Philadelphia at Alexandria, twenty-four chariots were 
drawn by elephants, twelve by lions, seven by orixes, five by buffaloes, 
eight by ostriches, four by wild asses, &c. Upon the neck of one of 
the elephants, was mounted a satyr with a crown of gold : the ele- 
phant had a harness of gold, and wore about his neck a garland, in 
shape resembling ivy leaves, but made of gold. 

There were Indian women, camels laden with cinnamon, and tusks 
of six hundred elephants. There were twenty-six white oxen from 
India, twenty-four thousand Indian dogsf, curious birds, a hundred 
and thirty Ethiopian, and three hundred Arabian sheep ; four lynxes, 
fourteen leopards, sixteen panthers, three brown bears, a white bear, 
one camelopardalis, and one Ethiopian rhinoceros. 

* * * * 

Gordian possessed, as Capitolinus informs us, sixty lions and thirty 
leopards, tamed J. 

f The sovereign had so immense a number of Indian dogs, that four great towns 
in the vicinity of Babylon were exempted from all other tax, but that of maintaining 
them, Herodotus, Clio, CXCI. This alludes to the period of Cyrus. A note 
says, the antients believed these dogs, which were very celebrated, to be produced 
from a bitch and a tiger. Bajazet had twelve thousand dog-keepers. See Ch. IV. 

J Monfaucon, Vol. III. p. 179; and Bruce's Travels, Vol. I. p. 458. The above 



320 



CHAP. 
XI. 



CHARIOTS DRAWN BY LIONS— TIGERS— UNICORNS. 



* * * * 

The chariots of the -Romans were drawn by elephants : they had 
sometimes two, and sometimes four; and frequently, when they had 
towers upon their backs, they at the same time drew one of those lit- 
tle chariots which were used for racing in the circus . These towers 
they generally put upon the backs of single elephants, both for war- 
fare and travelling, as they do at this day in Persia and India. 

* * * * 

The Romans were drawn by camels ; and Pliny tells us- that Mark An- 
tony made use of lions. Heliogabalus did the same ; and also of boars, 
stags, wild asses, bisontes, and oryges, a sort of animal with one horn, 
which Ptolemy, according to Athenseus, drew his carriage with f . 

# * # * 

Heliogabalus ran a race with four chariots, each drawn by four ele- 
phants, being himself the driver: and another race, with as many 
camels. He appeared at other times drawn by four great dogs, or 
four large stags ; sometimes by lions, sometimes by tigers. He had 

Ptolemy possessed two hundred millions sterling (see Lempriere). When Egypt 
was conquered by Augustus, all the treasures of that country were transferred to 
Rome. (Montesquieu, Grandeur des Remains, Ch. XVII). Nothing could be 
easier than for the Romans to procure the same kinds of animals, and in any num- 
bers, with the riches of Egypt, 
t Montfaucou, Vol. IV. p. 125. 



T T 



LITTLE DRAGONS.— CROCODILES.— HIPPOPOTAMI. 



hippopotami, a crocodile, a rhinoceros, little dragons, and all the strange 
beasts of Egypt, which could be transported f . 

* * * * 

Hippopotami were often exhibited. Scaurus, B.C. 58, introduced 
one with some crocodiles, for the first time ; Augustus one ; Commodus 
produced five; Carinus many; besides Heliogabalus, Gordian, and 
others. Teeth of the hippopotamus attain the weight of thirteen 
pounds. " Pausanius parle d'une statue de deesse dont la face etoit 
faite de ces dents 



Elephants were first introduced into the circus by Metellus, (before 
Christ, 251) who captured above a hundred and twenty from the Car- 
thaginians, at the battle of Palermo. The Romans, about fifty years 
afterwards, first employed elephants in their war with Philip king of 
Macedon, at the battle of Lycus §. In order to show the Romans 
the nature of elephants, when they first began to use them in warfare, 
a considerable number were driven through the circus, by a few slaves 
armed only with blunt javelins ||. 

* * * # 

f Lainpridius, vide Bernard, Vol. I. p. 382. The little dragon, whatever it 
was, if found, might be thought to be of an extinct species. 

$ See Cuvier, Theorie de la Terre, et Ossemens Fossiles. Rees's Encyc. " Hip- 
popotamus." 

§ Livy, B. XXXI. 

|| Gibbon, Cb. XII. The Romans appear at length to have tamed elephants 
with as much skill as the Asiatics. In the reign of Nero a distinguished Roman 
knight rode along a rope upon an elephant. Suetonius, " Nero." Ch. XI. 



COMBATS OF MEN AND LIONS. 323 

Cornelius Scipio Nasica and C. Lentulus, were the first who intro- C *JAP. 

XI. 

duced combats between beasts and armed men. There were sixty- 
three lions, forty bears, and a great number of elephants let loose in 
the circus. These were bloody battles, but the Romans delighted in 
bloodshed. They thereby kept up that martial spirit, which made 
them superior to all other nations f . 

* * * * 

In the year B.C. 168, there were shown to the people above sixty 
ostriches, and a great number of elephants and bears %. 

In the procession of Antiochus Epiphanes, a chariot was drawn by 
two elephants ; and thirty-six followed promiscuously : and there were 
eight hundred elephants' tusks. 

***** 

Besides that, Sylla bought the suffrages of the Romans at a dear 
rate; he gratified them with a new and splendid show. Bocchus, 
king of Mauritania, sent him a hundred lions, and some Maurita- 
nians, who were accustomed to fight them. It was a double pleasure 
to see them let loose upon men armed with spears, who knew how 
to avoid their attacks, and were very expert in striking them. This 
entertainment was thought afterwards to contribute as much towards 
Sylla's promotion, as either his reputation or his exploits §. 

f Livy, B. XLIV. Catrou, IV. p. 416. % Catrou, IV. p. 439. 

§ Catrou, Vol. V. p. 315. 
T T 2 



FURIOUS ELEPHANTS. — TERRIFIED ASSEMBLY. 

* * * * 

Pompey brought a number of elephants from Africa, which he had 
captured in that country. He gave directions that his chariot should 
be drawn by four elephants : but the arch not being wide enough for 
them to pass abreast, he was forced to be content with horses as 
usual. 

At the opening of his theatre, Pompey exhibited a variety of games, 
and battles with wild beasts : in which five hundred lions were slain in 
five days. Eighteen elephants fought with one another, then with 
gladiators; and, lastly, with Getulian archers, who were hunters of 
wild elephants. Some were killed, when the survivors grew mad, 
and made terrible and furious efforts to break the iron grating which 
separated them from the spectators. Fear seized the assembly. It 
was soon turned into compassion for the poor animals. The elephants 
lifted up their trunks to heaven, as if to call on the Gods to witness 
the perfidiousness of men : and the people concluded that they had 
been forced on board ship, after a promise that their lives should be 
saved: for the Romans fancied that elephants had reason, and under- 
stood the language of men, though they could not answer them. This 
accident was the cause of Caesar's invention of the amphitheatre; 
which was more convenient than the circus, and not exposed to such 
dangers f . 

* * * * 

Julius Caesar, in his third consulship, exhibited forty elephants. 
Twenty were opposed to five hundred combatants on foot. And 



324 



f Plutarch, " Pompey." Livy,B.VIII. Catrou, Vol. V. p.469; Vol. VI. p. 127. 



CHACE OF CROCODILES,— INDIAN AMBASSADORS. 

twenty, with turrets upon their backs, sixty men being allowed to 

defend each turret, were engaged with five hundred horse and as 
many foot |. 

* * * * 

Augustus indulged the people with the killing of thirty-six croco- 
diles, which were chased in the Flaminian circus J. 

Augustus, when at Samos, received an embassy from Pandion and 
Porus, kings of the Indies, to conclude the treaty of alliance already 
begun by other Indian ambassadors, who had met the Emperor at 
Tarragon .in Spain. These ambassadors had been four years on their 
journey. They had a letter from Porus, written in Greek, in which 
he boasted of his having commanded over six hundred kings. They 
presented to Augustus pearls, jewels, elephants, tigers, (which last 
had never yet been seen by the Romans) § ; a serpent, twelve cubits 
long; a river turtle, three cubits long; vipers of a prodigious size, 
(cobra de capello?); and a partridge larger than a vulture, (probably a 
florikin, or bustard). An Indian philosopher, who came with the am- 
bassadors, accompanied Augustus to Athens, where he was initiated 

t Kennet, p. 268. Pliny, B. VIII. Ch. VII. 

% Dion Cassius, B. LV. No one in modern times would incur the expense of 
bringing large crocodiles and other animals from Egypt, such sports not being a 
mode of courting popularity. Augustus brought such immense treasures from 
Alexandria, that the interest of money fell, and the price of land rose considerably; 
the expenditure was therefore not worth considering. See Suetonius, Aug. 
Ch. XLI. 

§ This is a strong confirmation of there not being tigers in Africa ; and that the 
animal named by Adamson "Tiger" in Senegal is a leopard: the latter being call- 
ed Tigers, in Morocco, according to Chenier, Vol. I. p. 171. 



326 A HERD OF ELEPHANTS IN THE RUTULIAN FOREST. 

CHAP, in the mysteries of Ceres : immediately after which, he caused a fune- 
^^y^j ral pile to be erected ; and, after rubbing himself with oil, he, with a 
smiling countenance, leaped naked into the midst of the flames. His 
name was Zarmanochegas, he was a native of Bargosa f . 

# # * # 

There was a combat in which Nero's guards on horseback, shot 
with arrows four hundred bears, and three hundred lions j. 

* * * * 

Many persons have seen Domitian kill a hundred wild beasts at his 
seat at Alba ; and strike his arrows into their heads, with such dexteri- 
ty, that he would, at two discharges of his bow, plant as it were, a pair 
of horns upon them. 

He also entertained the people with the chase of wild beasts and 
combats of gladiators, even in the night time, by the light of lamps §. 

" Domitian transported into Italy numbers of elephants; and a herd 
of them might be seen in the Rutulian forest, near Lavinium, where 
Turnus, king of the Rutuli, reigned: the country was called Etru- 
ria|[." 

# # # * 

Only on the birth-days of Hadrian a thousand wild beasts were al- 
ways slain in the shows, which is mentioned as a mark of his prudence 
and moderation f f . 

# * * * 



f Crevier, " Augustus." J Dion, Nero. § Suetonius, Domitian. 

|| Madan's Juvenal, Sat. XII. Notes, 105, 106. ft Bernard, Vol. I. p. 49. 



MEN FENCE WITH ELEPHANTS. 

The Roman people were exceedingly delighted with Claudius and 
with Nero, who gave them combats between single elephants and ex- 
perienced fencers. 

* * * * 

Eutropius, Suetonius, and Cassiodorus, say five thousand (Dion Cas- 
sius asserts that nine thousand) wild beasts, of all kinds, were slaugh- 
tered in the amphitheatre of Titus, at the dedication of itf. 

* * * * 

The Emperor Severus commanded a golden statue of Pertinax to 
be brought into the circus upon a chariot drawn by elephants: 
and three golden thrones to be erected to his honour in the other 
theatres. 

Severus sent some officers into the islands of the red sea to fetch 
horses consecrated to the sun, and resembling tigers J. 

On the return of Severus from Arabia and Egypt, in the tenth year 
of his reign, at the games, sixty wild-boars fought with each other. 
An elephant, a crocota, bears, lions, ostriches, wild asses, and 
foreign bulls; in all, seven hundred beasts were killed with darts. 

Three hundred were domestic animals. The other four hundred 
were enclosed in a large ship, built in the amphitheatre, from which 
they were let out all at once. This show was in the name of Cara- 
calla. Sever us's triumph was celebrated at York. See Ch. XIII. and 
the medal, Plate I. A 1% 

t Keysler's Travels, Letter LV. 

X Tfley were probably the Equus Zebra or Quagga, which is a nearer re- 
semblance of the tiger. 



327 



GUESTS TERRIFIED BY LIONS, BEARS, AND PANTHERS. 
On another occasion, tigers were shot with darts f. 

* * # % 

Heliogabalus gave the people a combat of forty bears against as 
many other beasts of Africa. During the excessive heat, they made 
use of the diribitorium for sports and combats, instead of the theatre. 
In one day five hundred bears were killed in a combat with as many 
other beasts from Africa %. 

# * * * 

Heliogabalus is said to have had six hundred ostriches slaugh- 
tered in one day, in order that he might have the brains served up 
as a dish, to pamper his appetite §. This immense number would 
appear quite incredible, did we not suppose that ostriches were 
formerly, as they are said to be at present, kept and bred in Africa. 

f Dion. There is a part of the skull with the horns of a foreign bull in the mu- 
seum of the Royal College. It was found in Britain. I am tempted to conjecture 
that Severus introduced the wild bull of the Highlands. Bulls were among the 
military rewards of the Romans. Vide Encyc. Brit. " Bos." Rees's Cyc. "Bull." and 
Ch. XIII. of this Vol. It has been said, that the Dorking fowls were introduced by 
the Romans. Caracalla and Geta were great cock-fighters. 

% Dion Cassius, Heliog The diribitorium was a building in which the soldiers 

were mustered, received their pay, &c. Tt was an immense place, and had the 
largest roof that had ever been known. 

§ This capricious monster is said, by Lampridius, to have fed hisltonsand other 
wild beasts with pheasants and parrots, and his dogs with the livers of geese. Al- 
so, that when his company was well in drink, he would lock them up, and in the 
night let in tamed lions, bears, and panthers, the claws and teeth of which had 
been extracted ; so that, when the guests awoke, they were sometimes struck dead 
with fright Bernard, Vol. I. p. 379. 



328 



BREEDING OF BEARS.— OSTRICHES CARRY NEGROES. 

We know that bears were bred by the Romans. The inhabitants of 
Dara, Lybia, Numidia, and Bornou, breed ostriches, for their flesh, as 
food, and for their feathers, as merchandise. It is asserted by Adan- 
son, that, at the factory at Podore, he had himself two ostriches that 
ran faster than a race-horse, each with a negro upon his backf . 

* * * * 

Commodus, in the arena, intercepted the rapid career, and cut off 
the long bony neck of the ostrich with arrows, whose points were 
formed like a crescent. The dens of the amphitheatres disgorged at 
once a hundred lions, which he laid dead by his unerring shafts. The 
elephant, the scaly rhinoceros, the camelopard of Ethiopia and In- 
dia's most extraordinary animals were slain J. 

* * * * 

Commodus, who debased himself in every manner imaginable, ap- 
peared in the amphitheatre to please his concubine Martia, in the ha- 
bit of an Amazon, a dress in which he most admired that favourite. 
He killed great numbers of gladiators, who were afraid to exercise all 
their dexterity or strength against the Emperor. The senate, even 
when he killed a lion or other animal, added their applauses to those 
of the people, servilely crying out, " Thou overcomest the world : 
thou art the conqueror, O brave Amazonian!" — De Serviez, "Martia." 
Dion, Book 72. 

* * * * 

f Rees's Encyc. " Struthio." 
% Gibbon, Ch. IV. and note £4; and Bernard, Vol. I. p. 188. 

u u 



AURELIAN'S TRIUMPH. — QUEEN ZENOBIA. 

The pomp of Aurelian's triumph was opened by twenty elephants, 
four royal tigers, and above two hundred of the most curious animals 
from every climate of the North, the East, and the South. They 
were followed by sixteen hundred gladiators devoted to the cruel 
amusement of the amphitheatre. The wealth of Asia, the arms and 
ensigns of so many conquered nations, and the magnificent plate and 
wardrobe of Zenobia, (the captive Syrian Queen), were disposed in ex- 
act symmetry, or artful disorder. The ambassadors of Ethiopia, Ara- 
bia, Persia, Bactriana, India, and China, remarkable by their rich and 
singular dresses, displayed the fame and power of the Roman Em- 
peror, who exposed his numerous presents, and a great number of 
crowns of gold. Captive Goths, Sarmatians, Syrians, Egyptians, and 
others, reluctantly attended his triumph. The title of Amazons was 
bestowed on ten martial heroines of the Gothic nation, who had been 
taken in arms. The beauteous figure of Zenobia was confined by fet- 
ters of gold: a slave supported the gold chain which encircled her 
neck; and she almost fainted under the intolerable weight of jewels. 
She preceded, on foot, the magnificent chariot in which she once 
hoped to enter the gates of Rome. It was followed by two other cha- 
riots still more sumptuous, of Odenathus and the Persian monarch. 
The triumphal ear of Aurelian was drawn by four stags or four ele- 
phants. The festival was protracted by theatrical representations, 
the games of the circus, the hunting of wild beasts, combats of gladia- 
tors, and naval engagements f. 

* * * * 

The only merit of Carinus that history could record, was the un- 



f Gibbqn, Ch. XI. 



3,700 WILD BEASTS— 1000 OSTRICHES KILLED. 

common splendour with which, in his own and his brother's name, he 
exhibited the Roman games of the theatre, the circus, and the amphi- 
theatre. If we confine ourselves solely to the hunting of wild beasts, 
however we may censure the variety of the design, or the cruelty of the 
execution, we are obliged to confess that neither before nor since the 
time of the Romans, so much art and expense have ever been lavished 
for the amusement of the people f. 

^ Sfe ^ 

By the order of Probus, a great number of large trees, torn up by 
the roots, were transplanted into the midst of the circus. The spa- 
cious and shady forest was immediately filled with a thousand ostriches, 
a thousand stags, a thousand fallow-deer, and a thousand wild-boars; 
and all this variety of game was abandoned to the riotous impetuosity 
of the multitude. The tragedy of the succeeding day consisted in 
the massacre of a hundred lions, and an equal number of lionesses, (the 
whole of which, entering the amphitheatre at once, made a roaring- 
like thunder), two hundred leopards, and three hundred bears J. 

# % # # 

The year that Gordian the First was aedile, he entertained the people 
of Rome, at his own expense, each month, or twelve times, with public 

t Gibbon, Ch. XII. Britain was one of tbe governments under Carinus, with 
the full power of Emperor, during his father's absence in the East. Augustan His- 
tory, Carinus. 

t These games were to celebrate the conquests of Probus in Germany, and 
over the Africans, between Upper Egypt and the Red Sea, Augustan History, 
Vol. II. p. 295. 

TJU2 



331 



CHAP. 
XI. 



332 TWO HUNDRED STAGS HUNTED BY BRITONS. 

CHAP, shows. He had a hundred wild beasts of Africa hunted in one day. On 
XI. 

^0f-^^j another day a thousand hears f ; his sixth day is very memorable. There 
were two hundred stout stags, hunted by Britons; thirty wild horses, 
one hundred wild sheep, ten elks, a hundred Cyprian bulls, three hun- 
dred red Barbary ostriches, thirty wild asses, one hundred and fifty 
boars, two hundred wild goats, and two hundred deer. All these he 
gave in one day to be hunted, taken, and divided among the people^. 

* * * * 

At the decennial games, instituted by Gallienus the First, he went 
to the capital in a procession of the senators in their, robes, the sol- 
diers clad in white, the people, many slaves, and the women holding 
wax tapers and lamps. They were preceded by a hundred white oxen, 
yoked two and two, with their horns gilt, and covered with silken 
clothes of divers colours ; a hundred pure white lambs, two and two ; 
ten elephants, twelve hundred gladiators dressed in cloth embroidered 
with gold, such as ladies wear ; two hundred tamed wild beasts, of se- 
veral kinds, finely adorned ; with players, mimics, and pugilists. Gal- 
lienus, in a triumphal gown and tunick, was accompanied by all the 
priests in their robes. There were five hundred spears of gold borne 
on each side : standards, arms and ensigns of the temples, and all the 
legions §. 

* * * * 

f Collections of bones of bears have been found in Germany, at Gailenreuth, &c. 
Bears were bred in former times, both for food and sport. A very few shows, such 
as this of Gordian's, would produce an immense collection of bones: and as the Ro- 
mans had bears from Numidia, (see Beloe's Herodotus, Melpomene, CXCI. and 
note 188), they might, be of a species unknown to modern naturalists. See also 
Dion Cassius, " Heliogabalus." 

t Augustan Hist. Vol. II. p. 38. § Augustan Hist. Vol. II. p. 117. 



ZEBRAS.-CAMELOPARDS.— HYENAS.— TIGERS. 

The collection prepared for the younger Gordian and his triumph, 
and which his successors exhibited in the secular games, was no less 
remarkable by the number than by the singularity of the animals. 
Twenty zebras displayed their elegant forms and variegated beauty to 
the eyes of the Roman people. Ten elks, and as many camelopards, 
the most harmless creatures that wander over the plains of Sarmatia 
and Ethiopia ; were contrasted with thirty African hyaenas and ten 
Indian tigers, the most implacable savages of the torrid zonef . The 
unoffending strength with which nature has endowed the greater 
quadrupeds, was admired in the rhinoceros, the hippopotamus of the 
Nile, and a majestic troop of thirty-two elephants J. 

* * * * 

Gratian enclosed large parks in Gaul, one was at Paris; all of them 
plentifully stocked with wild beasts, where he hunted and slew them§. 

* * # * 

Since the first introduction of wild beasts into the circus, to the 
reign of Gratian, is six hundred and thirty-four years. After this pe- 
riod these expensive amusements were probably discontinued, the 
Goths having invaded the empire. A more diligent search might, not- 
withstanding the poverty of history on such subjects, produce an ac- 

t Tigers were at this time procured from India, by' ships from the Red Sea, or 
the Persian Gulf. Firmus, who assumed the purple, and kept possession of part of 
Zenobia's country, sent oftentimes ships of merchandise into India. Bernard, 
Vol. IT. p. 304. 

$ Gibbon, Ch. XII. and Bernard, Vol. II. pp. 71,295. (About A.D. 280.) 
§ Gibbon, Ch. XXVII.— A.D, 383. 



333 



334 



LIST OF THE ANIMALS SLAIN. 



CHAP, count of much greater numbers of quadrupeds and other animals, but 
XI. 

^^^j the reader will probably think that the number here presented is much 
more than sufficient for the object of these researches. The following 
is a list of such animals slain in the games and sacrifices, by the Romans, 
as can be ascertained ; though there may have been many others, as no 
country was neglected, and no expense spared to procure the most 
rare and curious animals, for many centuries. 



* Asses, wild — Bears — Bisontes — Boars — Buffaloes — Bulls, and fo- 
reign ones — Camels — Camelopards — Crocodiles — Crocotta, an ani- 
mal between a dog and a wolf. Pliny, B. VIII. Ch. XLI. — Crocuta, 
an animal between a hyaena and a lioness. Pliny, B. VIII. Ch. XXX. 
Dragons, (little ones) from Egypt by Heliogabalus. It is not easy to 
conjecture what this may have been. The long necked creature 
named Plesiosaurus, is perhaps the nearest resemblance to so uncer- 
tain a name. — Deer of all kinds — Domestic animals of all kinds, Oxen, 
Sheep, Birds, &c. — Elephants — Elks — Hares — Hippopotamuses — 
Horses — Hyaenas — Leopards — Lions — Lynxes — Orixes, or Oryges, 
with one horn — Ostriches — Indian Oxen — Panthers — Rhinoceroses 
— Stags — Tigers — Turtles. (Augustus had a river turtle, from India, 
three cubits long. ) Zebras; and probably Quaggas, by Severus. 

Besides this list of animals, named by the Romans as having been 
exhibited, remains of others not noticed, as far as these researches go, 
have been found — the beaver, tapir, and mastodon, (probably by the Ro- 
mans called elephant) : and they are known to have exhibited some ani- 
mals, the bones of which have not been detected, as far as the writer's 

knowledge extends the camelopard, zebra, ostrich — nor has there 

ever occurred in this research, a single instance of the mention 



* Those in Italics are not represented in the engraving of the circus; nor is 
the Irish elk. 



THE UNICORN. 335 

of camels' bones being found, of which there must be vast numbers in CHAP. 

XI. 

Siberia, and some in Europe : this is a very remarkable fact, and may '^-v-o 
account for many bones, which have puzzled those who found them, 
or have been supposed to belong to other large quadrupeds. 



REMARKS ON THE UNICORN. 

The oryx of Pliny is said to be an antelope with two horns, slender, 
straight, and three feet long. See Buffon and Rees's Cyc. " Pasan." 

In all ages, and all countries, the unicorn is mentioned. Timur 
killed rhinoceroses and unicorns, on the frontiers of Cashmere. Vide 
Chap. IV. of this volume. Can these assertions arise from antelopes, 
or other animals, sometimes shedding one horn before the other ? If 
they ever do so, they may have often been seen without having been 
killed; and the sportsman not having an opportunity to examine 
them, thus some of the reports might arise. 

Ptolemy's carriages, according to Athenseus, were drawn by orixes, 
with one horn. There have lately been reports of a kind of deer with 
one horn having been seen in Napaul, but there is no confirmation of the 
truth of these rumours. Mr. Bell, Journey to Pekin, Chapter II. says 
that a hunter in Siberia, near the Irtish, ( which is due north of Napaul ) 
told him, and that his story was confirmed by several of his neigh- 
bours, that in March, 1713, being out hunting, he discovered the track 
of a stag, which he pursued and overtook, when he was startled by 
perceiving that it had only one horn, stuck in the middle of its fore- 
head. He killed it, and shewed it, being near his village, to the great 
admiration of the spectators. He ate the flesh, and sold the horn to a 
comb maker, in the town of Tara, for ten alteens, about fifteen pence 
sterling. I made careful enquiries, says Mr. B. about this unicorn — he 



THE UNICORN. 

told me that it exactly resembled a stag, and that the horn was of a 
brownish colour, about one arsheen (or twenty-eight inches) long, and 
twisted from the root, till within a finger's length of the top, where it 
was divided like a fork into two points, very sharp. 

Heliogabalus (Montfaucon, IV. 125), as well as Ptolemy, was drawn 
by oryges with one horn. The pasan is too small for the purpose of 
drawing a carriage. 

As the Romans and Egyptians, for their processions and spectacles, 
left no part of Africa and Asia unexplored, and gave extravagant 
prices for curious animals, it is not impossible, but the unicorn may 
yet be found. It is not confounded with the rhinoceros in the above 
accounts, that animal being also mentioned in them. 

Aristotle also classes the oryx as having one horn. Oppian de- 
scribes it as a fierce animal. — See notes to Herodotus, Melpomene, 
CXCII. A Mahomedan prince is said to have sent two unicorns to 
Mecca, in the year 1799, from Africa. Rees's Cyc. "Monoceros." 

A very interesting dissertation, with a drawing on this subject, in 
Barrow's Travels in Africa, Vol.1. p.311to 320, leaves scarcely a 
doubt of the existence of animals with one horn, and in size and shape 
like a horse. The countries reported to contain the unicorn are those 
which are least known. In Africa from South Lat. 30° to North Lat. 
10° or two thousand seven hundred and eighty British miles in length, 
and two thousand miles in breadth at the equator, a space more con- 
siderable than all Europe, is to moderns utterly unknown. See also 
the vast countries between Hindostan and Siberia, which are equally 
unvisited by any intelligent European. With respect to Africa, the 
Romans were acquainted with the interior as far as latitude 14° south. 
" Comme aujourd'hui on connoit assez bien les cotes de l'Afrique, et 
tres-mal l'interieur, les anciens connoissoient assez bien l'interieur 
et tres-mal les cotes "— (Esprit des Lois, Liv. XXI. Ch. X.) See 



THE UNICORN. 337 

also Ptolemy, Lib. I. Ch. VII. VIII. & IX. Tab. IV. See the an- CHAP. 

XI. 

cient coin found in Herefordshire, in Chap. XIII. Plate 1, of this ^^v—*^ 
Vol. Does not this assist in proving that such an animal was known 1 
The wings on the man's shoulders rather weaken that conjec- 
ture, but are not decisive against it. The shapes of the tail and breast 
of the unicorn, are a presumption that it is a portrait. The legend 
on this coin VLATOS ATEVLA, are words not in the Latin dic- 
tionary; and Camden could not explain them. The coin appears to 
be like the British money of the first century, and the same legend is 
found on other coins, with a horse and some other animals. Banduri 
conjectures that Atevla means Attila: but this is not probable. Per- 
haps some one well acquainted with the Greek, may be able to afford 
an elucidation, if the legend, although the characters are Roman, be 
derived from that language. 

A British officer reported, in July, 1825, that he saw an unicorn in 
the thick woods of Aracan. Vincent Le Blanc relates (see Ch. VII. 
of this Vol.) that there are unicorns and rhinoceroses in Siam, and that 
in the queen's park at Pegu there is an unicorn called Drougala, and 
the head of another, with the horn in the middle of the upper part of 
the forehead, set fast upon a fountain. Le Blanc mentions their be- 
ing remarkably timid. In addition to all these probabilities, there 
were among the remains of the animals found at Cadstadt near Stut- 
gard, " beaucoup d'os de rhinoceros, d'hyaenas et d'animaux du genre 
du cheval." As Ptolemy Philadelphus possessed so many of these 
animals, the probability is that they exist in Africa, in those vast re- 
gions undiscovered by modern Europeans. This conjecture is much 
strengthened, by the resemblance of this animal on the coin to that 
in Mr. Barrow's Travels. 



x x 



338 



CHAPTER XIL 



Remains of Elephatits and Wild Beasts found in Italy -France 

-Sicily Spain — — Germany; and other Countries. 

CHAP. IMPOST of the following extracts of the places, where bones have 
XII. 

al 0>~v«**u been found, in Europe, are from the Baron Cuvier's great work. 

IN ITALY, 

At Rome, in the valley of the Tiber, great numbers of fossil bones 
of elephants and various wild beasts were found. 

Note. — At Rome there were amphitheatres; and one at Fidene, 
on the banks of the Tiber, a few miles distant from Rome. By 
the sudden fall of this amphitheatre, fifty thousand persons were killed 
or hurt. 

At Verona, three leagues distant, many bones of elephants and 
other animals. 

Note.— At Verona there was an amphitheatre; and it is shewn, 
in Ch. X. that animals were generally kept at some distance from 
cities. 

At Puzxuoli, remains of elephants. 

Note. — There was an amphitheatre at Puzzuoli 



REMAINS OF ELEPHANTS, &c. 339 

At Pisa, remains of elephants. C XH P 
JSfote. — Pisa was an important municipium, and, we may suppose, w>v«L^ 
had its amphitheatre. 

At Orvieto, remains of elephants. 

Note. — The amphitheatre at Otriculi is near Orvieto. 

At Ancona, remains of elephants, 

Note. — Ancona is about twelve miles from Sena (now Sengaglia.) 
" Both the Roman army commanded by Nero, and the Carthagin- 
ian army under the command of Asdrubal, who had elephants, encamp- 
ed near Sena." — Catrou, III. p. 415. 

At Metauro, remains of elephants. 

Note. — The Consul, Claudius Nero, at the battle of the Metaurus, 
defeated Asdrubal. He captured four elephants ; and six were killed 
by the Carthaginians, being quite ungovernable, and creating much 
confusion.— Livy, B. XXVII. Ch. XLVIII. Catrou, III. 416. 

Near Turin, elephants' bones. 

Note. — Hannibal besieged and took Turin, on his descent from 
the Alps.— Catrou, Vol. III. p, 68. 

Piedmont: in the province of Asti, two skeletons of elephants. 

Note. — Hannibal marched from Turin by Chivas, north of the Po. 
It is not said whereabouts the bones were found, but the province of 
Asti commences close to Turin. See the map in Ch. IX. 

At Plaisance, distant nine miles, and two from the Trebia, a fossil 
elephant. 

" If ever there was a fossil elephant, which might be consider- 
ed as one of Hannibal's, it is that found two miles from the Tre- 
bia, and nine above Plaisance ; but, as if to contradict these conjec- 
tures, the head of a rhinoceros was found near it." — Cuvier, p. 94. 

Note. — Asdrubal besieged Placentia, twelve years after Hannibal had 
been there.— Catrou, III. p. 411. There was an amphitheatre (the 
x x 2 



340 REMAINS OF ELEPHANTS AND WILD BEASTS. 

CHAP, largest in Italy, Rees's Encyc.) at Placentia, which may account for 
X.IJ . 

y~*w> the rhinoceros. 

Little Mount St. Bernard; at the foot of the mountain, all the bones 
of an elephant were dug up. 

Note. — Hannibal crossed the Alps over the little St. Bernard; and, 
twelve years afterwards, Asdrubal passed over the same route. His- 
toire du passage d'Annibal, d'apres Polybe par A. J. De Luc : also, 
Catrou, Vol. III. p. 65, and the notes, by Father Rouille. — See the 
map of Hannibal's march, in Chap. IX. 

Near Florence parts of the skeletons of at least a hundred hippopo- 
tami, mixed in great abundance with the remains of elephant and 
rhinoceros, with those of horses, oxen, deer, hyaena, bear, tiger, wolf, 
mastodon, hog, tapir, and beaver. — Quarterly Review, LVII. p. 153. 

Note. — To what possible origin can these be attributed but an am- 
phitheatre, which there undoubtedly must have been at Florence, and 
probably at Foesula? Two or three hundred years would produce all 
these hippopotami, which were to be had from the Roman province of 
Egypt, without much difficulty. Many of their bones are found near 
a hollow or valley, similar to that at Kirkdale, and which might easily 
be converted into a lake for the hippopotami. 

In the Upper Vol cVArno, great numbers of elephants' bones. 

At Figlene, upon the Arno, great numbers, mixed with bones of the 
rhinoceros. 

Note. — " To the classical tourist, the road from Incisa (not far from 
Figlene) to Levane, presents the site where Hannibal halted his army, 
previous to an engagement at Thrasymenus, with the Roman legions 
under the Consul Flaminius. The fossil bones of elephants have been 
found there, and are considered to be the remains of those animals 
slain in the engagement : but it is probable that they are the remnant 
of some conflict of the elements." — Lady Morgan's Italy, Vol. II. 



REMAINS OF ELEPHANTS, &c. 

p. 144. See the description of Hannibal's march in Ch. IX. and the 
remarks. 

At Cortona and at Perugia some elephants' bones. 

Note. — Cortona is about five miles on the north, and Perugia about 
six on the east side of the lake Thrasymenus. The last elephant may 
have died of fatigue, or have been killed in the battle, at one of those 
places. See Ch. IX. 

The Val de Chiano, bones of the elephant. 

Note. — The Val de Chiano is about forty miles north of Rome. 
There is an amphitheatre at Otriculi, which is in the neighbourhood of 
the Val de Chiano. 

At Lake Lamporecci, some bones of the elephant. 

Note. — Not found on the map, nor in gazetteers. 

At Val de Nievole, numbers of elephants' bones. 

Note. — Not found. 

Near Benevento and at Avettino, elephants' remains. 

Note. — Avellino is twelve miles from Benevento. There were 
eight elephants captured, at the terrible battle of the Taurasian fields, 
near Beneventum, by Curius, who defeated Pyrrhus. Four died, and 
four were led in triumph at Rome. — Catrou, II. 483. 

At Bologna, elephants' remains. 

Note. — Bologna was a colony and a municipium, and therefore had, 
probably, an amphitheatre. It is on the road from Placentia, from 
which place Asdrubal, with his elephants, marched to Sena. — Catrou, 
III. 415. 

In Tuscany, hippopotamus' and rhinoceros' bones mixed. 

Note. — Florence was built by Sylla, and must have had an amphi- 
theatre, and also Pisa. No one can doubt this after reading the chap- 
ter on amphitheatres. 

At Cogence, in Calabria, elephants' bones. 



342 REMAINS OF ELEPHANTS, &c. 

CHAP, Note. — Hannibal was encamped at Croton in further Calabria, 
XI! 

where he beat Sempronius in a second battle: the consul killed four 
thousand Carthaginians. Cosentia trembled at the consul's approach, 
and surrendered at discretion. Livy, B. XXIX. Ch. XXXVI. Ca- 
trou, III. 501. Hannibal was about twelve years in Italy, and was 
kept constantly supplied with great numbers of elephants, by way of 
the gulph of Taranto. The fossil bones are few indeed compared with 
the vast number of elephants killed in the wars and amphitheatres ; 
especially when it is considered, that one animal produces a cart load 
of bones, and eight grinders. Hannibal lived generally at Capua ; and, 
south of that city, many fossil bones of elephants must have been 
buried by the frequent earthquakes in Italy. 



IN FRANCE. 

At Paris, remains of the elephant, ox, rein-deer, and other fossil 
bones have been found, and, near them, trunks of trees. 

Note. — Gratian, Emperor of the West, brother of Theodosius the 
Great, made large parks in several places in Gaul, and one at Paris ; 
all of which were plentifully stocked with wild beasts. He was amus- 
ing himself in slaughtering lions and bears in his park at Paris, with 
his Scythian hunting friends from the Volga, when the British Em- 
peror, Maximus, invaded Gaul; and Gratian was driven away. — See 
the chapter on Britain in this volume. The trees and the rein-deer 
prove, apparently, that this was the very park alluded to. Have the re- 
mains of white bears been found? The amphitheatre at Paris was on 
the south of the present university. — See Gibbon, Ch. XIX. 

At Serve St. Antoine, St. Valiev, Lavoute. (Dep. of Ardeche); at 
Tain, diocese of Vienne, remains of elephants. 



REMAINS OF ELEPHANTS. 343 

Note. — These five places are all near the banks of the Rhone, on the CHAP 

XII 

march where Hannibal passed with thirty-seven elephants, and Asdrubal v^^i^> 
with a number not known: he arrived in Italy with fifteen — See the 
map of Hannibal's march. 
At Montrecaut, elephants' remains. 

Note. — I cannot find any name thus spelt; Montr egaut is a few 
leagues north-east of Tain : if this be the right place, it is also on the 
route of the Carthaginians. 

At Montpelier, elephants' remains. 

Note. — Hannibal and Asdrubal passed through Montpelier: and 
the amphitheatres at Nismes and Aries are not far from it. 

At Plaine de Grenette, remains of the elephant. 

Note. — This is not in the Gazetteer, except it be the place on the 
coast of Provence, called Grenelle. " A victory was gained by Caesar, 
in a battle with the Gauls, by a single elephant. — Polyamus, B. VIII. 



IN SICILY. 

Remains of elephants have been found at Palermo, and at Messina, 

Note. — At the great victory obtained by Metellus, over the Cartha- 
ginians, commanded by an officer named Asdrubal, at Panormus, (Pa- 
lermo), many elephants were killed ; and more than a hundred were cap- 
tured. They were sent across the straits of Messina to Rhegium. — 
Catrou, Vol. II. p. 591. 

At Syracuse, elephants' bones have been found. 

Note. — At Syracuse there was an amphitheatre, another at Cata- 
nia, and one at Agrigentum. The Carthaginians possessed great 
part of Sicily. 



344 



REMAINS OF ELEPHANTS. 



CHAP. 




IN SPAIN. 

At the bridge of Toledo, and at the bridge of Man%anares, remains 
of elephants have been found. 

Note. — Althea, near Toledo, was taken by assault by Hannibal. He 
also gained a great victory on the banks of the Tagus, the waters of 
which were red with blood, over the Carpetani, whose capital was To- 
ledo. A number of Spaniards were trodden to death by his elephants, 
of which he had forty.— Pliny. Polybius, B. III. Ch. XIV. Livy, 
B. XXI. Ch. V. Catrou, Vol. IV. pp. 40, 47. 

Asdrubal, who had numerous elephants, destroyed the country of 
the Carpetani with fire and sword. Madrid is on the Manzanares, and 
is said to be the antient Mantua Carpetanorum. — Livy, B. XXIV. Ch. 
XLII. Rees Cyc. " Madrid." Two years or less afterwards, when 
Asdrubal was defeated by the two Scipios at Munda in Granada., 
thirty-nine of his elephants were slain. 

There are the remains of an amphitheatre at Seville. 

SWITZERLAND— GERMANY, &c. 

Remains of elephants have been found in the Swiss valleys, near 
the Rhine, at Geneva and at Lucerne*. 

* A consul, an ancestor of Nero, having conquered the Allobroges and the 
Averni, made a tour of the province mounted upon an elephant, with a body 
of soldiers attending him, in a sort of triumphal pomp. — Suetonius, " Nero." Ch. II. 
Geneva, was the Colonia Allobrogum. — See Map of Hannibal's march. 



REMAINS OF ELEPHANTS, &c. 345 

In the great valley of the Rhine many bones of elephants, some at c *?^ p - 
Cleves (with rhinoceros' hones) and some at Zutphen*. 

In the environs of Strasburg some fossil elephants' bones f. 

In Thuringia, Com. of Burgtouna, bones of elephants, rhinoceroses, 
and stags, at great depths. Two elephants at the depth of fifty feet, 
and at a little distance, in similar beds, " des bois du cerf, 6u elan fos- 
sile." At Bahtadt, a near village, rhinoceros' teeth. 

Near Heidelberg, elephants' bones were found, and also at Manheim, 
Wurtsburg, and Bamberg. In the valley of KocJier, near Halle in 
Swabia, tusks and bones ; near Passau, elephants' bones ; and near Aich- 
sted, with bones of the hyaena. At Krembs elephants' bones, and al- 
so "le corps d'un mastodonte a dents etroites" At Kayser- S teinbrncJe, 
Buggau, and Vag-Ugeli, on the river Vag, in Hungary, elephants' 
bones. In several places of Hungary and Transtjhania, some bones ; 
generally in marshes. " Une tres grande machoire inferieure etoit un 
peu au dessus du retranchement des Remains, qui va de la Teiss au 
Danube, vis-a-vis Peter waradin." 

Note. — History is too imperfect to permit of tracing all these places. 
But the wars of Hadrian in Dacia ; and the Roman troops sent by 

* The Romans had a vast number of vessels always upon the Rhine. We find 
a thousand constructed at one time, (some large for engines of war), and ordered 
by Germanicus to meet at the isle of Batavia. The Batavians were defeated, and 
the countries to the Elbe were conquered. Some of the vessels were driven to 
Britain by a tempest, and sent back by the British King Cunobeline. Tacitus, An. 
II. May it be conjectured, that elephants were conveyed about this river for ex- 
hibitions; and for amphitheatres in the camps and towns, when there was such a 
rage for those sights? The amphitheatre at Treves may account for many of the 
bones, besides Colonia Agrippina, and Colonia Trajana, now Cologne and Kel- 
len (near Cleves). Eight legions were kept constantly on the Rhine by Augus- 
tus, and four on the Danube. 

t Julius Caesar gained a victory at Strasburg, which Zosimus, p. 68, compares 
with that of Alexander over Darius. Sixty thousand were killed, and as many 
more drowned in the river. 

Y Y 



I 



346 



REMAINS OF ELEPHANTS, &c. 



CHAP. Antoninus Pius to Olbiopolis on the Dneiper, to act against the Sey- 
thians, prove that large armies went more to the East than any of 
the places where those fossil bones are found. The conquest of Dacia 
required a war of five years' duration. — See Julius Capitolinus in Ber- 
nard, Vol. I. p. 100. " Probus conquered all the country near the 
Euxine." Vopiscus in Bernard, Vol. II. p. 287. (See forward.) 

Near Wolfenbuttle, a whole skeleton. At Brunswick, at the depth 
of twelve feet, one tusk, eleven feet long; one fourteen feet eight 
inches, curved in a half-circle*; with nine others, and at least thirty 
grinders, twenty-two of which are like other fossil molar teeth ; mixed 
with bones of rhinoceroses, horses, oxen, and stags, in prodigious 
quantities. 



At Osterode, a skeleton, with two bones of a rhinoceros. Near Steig- 
erthal, (Hohenstein), four grinders; (also an under jaw of a hyaena, and, 
at the distance of a league, some bones of a rhinoceros). Between Halle 
(in Saxony) and Querfurt, many elephants' bones, some of which were 
found in a quarry of hard stone, apparently in a cleft (" fente "). At 
Cassel, and several places in Hesse, elephants' bones: at Sodershausen, 
elephants' bones much calcined. At Potsdam, elephants' bones : near 
Magdeburg, elephants' bones f . 

In Bohemia, some elephants' bones in several places. 

Note Marcus Aurelius waged war in person for about three years 

together against many nations who had confederated. The Emperor 
in person, and the principal officers, marched at the head of the troops : 
this war was very obstinate, and many of the nobility were killed. The 
nations were the Quadi, (by the Danube and the river Mark); Suevi, 
(between the Rhine and the Elbe); Sarmatse, (very undefined, Poland, 



* This curve is like that of the tusks of the Lena elephant. Mr. Adams saw 
a tusk at Yakoutsk, fifteen feet long- (French), 
t See the Note **, p. 349. 



REMAINS OF ELEPHANTS, &c. 34 

Russia, &c); Latringes, (Livonia, Riga); Bursi, Victovali, Sosives, Si- CHAP. 
cobates,Roxalani; (the Ukraine) ; Bastarnae, (Upper Hungary); Alani, w-y-L. 
(the countries by the Don and the Palus Maeotis); Costoborei, (this and 
several others are uncertain) ; Marcomanni, Narisei, (Bohemia and Mo- 
ravia). This war was resumed, and was not finished at the Emperor's 
death. — Capitolinus in Aug. Hist. p. 132. 

At Seelberg, (on the other side of the Necker), six hundred paces 
from Canstadt, at the depth of eighty feet, thirteen tusks, in general 
much curved, placed near each other, as if intentionally, and several 
separately; also a number of grinders, from two inches to one foot in 
length. Bones of the horse, stag, a number of rhinoceros' teeth ; 
others supposed to be of the bear, and one attributed to the tapir. 
Near the walls of Canstadt, a skeleton and two tusks. 

At Canstadt, (three miles from Stutgard), in the year 1700, a vast 
collection of bones was found, none at a greater depth than twenty 
feet. " Sans aucun ordre, en grande partie brises ; quelquesuns roules, 
sans aucune proportion entre eux: des dents de chevaux par charet- 
tees, et pas des os pour la dixieme partie de ces dents*: plus de soix- 
ante defenses, une tres courbee, de cinq et demi pieds, une autre de 
quatre et demi. Les os des elephans paroissent avoir ete plus eleve, 
que la plupart des autres. Une partie etoit engagee dans une espece 
de roc, fermee par de l'argile, du sable, des cailleux et de l'ocre ; agglu- 
tines ensemble, et Ton fut oblige d'employer la poudre pour les avoir. 
Ces os sont accompagnes dans le cabinet, de beaucoup d'os de rhino- 
ceros, d'hysene, et d'animaux du genre du cheval f , du cerf, du bceuf, 

* Horses, bulls, and other domestic animals, were slain in the amphitheatres. 
Montfaucon, Vol. III. Julius Caesar exhibited a combat of forty elephants 
against five hundred horse and one thousand foot. Kennet, p. 268. Pliny, Nat. 
Hist. Lib. VIII. Ch. VII. 

f Possibly the zebra, quagha or orix ? which were at Rome not uncommon. 
Severus brought horses resembling tigers, from the Red Sea. Dion Cassius. 



Y Y 2 



348 REMAINS OF ELEPHANTS, &c. 

CHAP, du lievre et petits carnassiers *. De tres grandes epiphyses de verte- 
k^^-^j bres, pourroient faire soupconner des cetasesf. Il-y-a aussi quelques 
fragmens humains. Malheureusement, on n'a pas assez distingue 
les hauteurs differentes, 6u chaque os fut trouve, pendant six mois 
que les fouilles durerent, ni les os qui etoient dans le retranche- 
ment mentionne par Reisel, de ceux qu'on trouva hors de ses 
lfmites. On deterra, par example, aussi des morceaux de charbon 
et des fragments d'objets fabriques par 1'homme, comme des vases, 
&c. qui assurement n'avoient pas ete deposes en meme temps que 
les grands os J. Reisel dit qu'il y avoit des debris d'un ancien mur, 
epais de huit pieds et de quatre vingts de tour, qui paroit avoir ete 
l'enceinte d'un fort ou d'un temple; et Ton voit en effet encore 
quelques restes §. Aussi Spleiss conclut-il que ces os etoient ceux 
des animaux qu'on sacrifioit; mais ils etoit pour la plupart bien 
plus profondement que les fondations de ce mur : d'ailleurs Ton en 
trouve encore plus pres du Necker, dans un sol naturel, et tout sem- 
blable a celui 6u on les deterra. 

Tout ce qu'on pourroit conclure de leur abondance dans cette en- 
ceinte, c'est qu'ils avoient deja ete une fois deterres et rassembles a cet 
endroit par quelque curieux. 

M Autenrieth a trouve dans le voisinage une foret entiere de 
tronc || de palmiers couches. 

* Sometimes three hundred oxen were sacrificed. Livy, B. XXII. Ch. X. 

Hares and deer Rennet, p. 276. Swine, sheep, eagles, lions, a hundred at a 

time Bernard, Vol. II. p. 85. 

f Bones of whales and other sea animals were sometimes exhibited. By Au- 
gustus See Suetonius, Ch. LXXII. By Scaurus — See Catrou, Vol. VI. p. 96. 

% Sacrifices and games were common for a great many centuries. 

§ Sacrificial Temples were round. Kennet, p. 84. 

|| These trunks of trees are very probably the wrecks of an amphitheatre, see 
Chap. X. The vases assist in proving a Roman origin. 



REMAINS OF ELEPHANTS, &c. 349 

Note* * — The Emperor Probus, after slaying near four hundred CHAP, 
thousand of the barbarians, (and the entire submission of nine •^^ r ^j 
kingdoms), drove the rest beyond the rivers Elbe and the Necker. 
He took as much booty from them, as they had taken from the Ro- 
mans ; besides which, he planted Roman colonies and garrisons on the 
barbarian soil, and placed his soldiers upon them. — Bernard, Vol. II. 
p. 289, from Flavius Vopiscus. The great stone wall which Probus 
caused to be built by the Roman legions reached from the neighbour- 
hood of Newstadt and Ratisbon on the Danube, across hills, vallies, 
rivers, and morasses, as far as Wimpfen on the Necker, and at length 
terminated on the banks of the Rhine, after a winding course of near 
two hundred miles. — See Gibbon, Ch. XII. As Probus had been 
much in Egypt, and possessed such vast numbers of wild beasts, (see 
Ch. XI.) there can be little doubt but that the troops, during this 
labour, and especially on the fulfilment of their arduous task, were in- 
dulged with the combats of beasts, and other amusements, which were 
usual in the camps : and that the reduced kings and their subjects 
would' be conciliated by the like means. Probus transplanted a great 
number of Vandals into Thrace. — Augustan Hist. Vol.11. 293. He 
also sent some Vandals to Britain, who, it is supposed, settled near 
Cambridge, and from whom a village was named Vandalsburg. See 
Rees's Cyc. "Vandals." The history or life of Probus is exceedingly 
imperfect, having been lost ; and there remains little more than has 
been preserved in the Augustan History, by Flavius Vopiscus, which 
see, p. 273. 

In Poland a few bones have been found. 

Note. — There is perhaps not a place mentioned where bones have 
been found, that was not visited by large Roman armies, and most of 
them even by Emperors. Trajan twice invaded Dacia, and the wars 
were long and difficult : he made it a province of the empire, and plant- 



350 



REMAINS OF ELEPHANTS, &c. 



CHAP, ed it with Roman colonies. On his return to Rome, the spectacles 
^ lasted for months: eleven thousand various beasts were slain ; and ten 
thousand gladiators combated. — Augustan History, Vol. I. p. 20. On 
the other occasion of his return from Dacia, a medal was struck to 
celebrate his victory, upon which is represented a chariot drawn by 
four elephants. — Haym. Vol. II. p. 206. Augustus, partly in person, 
and partly by his lieutenants, conquered Pannonia, (Hungary). He 
put a stop to the inroads of the Dacians, (Transylvania, Moldavia, and 
Wallachia), by cutting off three of their generals with vast armies. 
He drove the Germans beyond the Elbe. — Suetonius, " Aug." XXI. 
Domitian invaded Germany, Poland, and Dacia. If bones of ele- 
phants, and such wild beasts as were slain in the Roman games, are 
found in any places, not known to be mentioned as having been fre- 
quented by the Romans, can the same cause for their existence, in 
such places, be doubted ? May not some of those countries have adopt- 
ed the like sports by purchasing beasts ? 

In Ostrobothnie, a grinder. At Falkenburg, in Halland, two bones. 
In Iceland, a petrified grinder *. Pontoppidan mentions, from Tor- 
feus, a prodigious skull and tooth. 

* Such instances of bones, which may have been conveyed by travellers, as 
curiosities, cannot be supposed to affect the general question. — The late periods 
of the conquests in the above countries have been selected in preference to those 
of Csesar and others, in consequence of the Romans having' subdued Egypt, and 

then possessing such numbers of wild beasts All the elephants and wild beasts, 

shown from the earliest times as curiosities, must have produced many of the re- 
mains of single animals, which have been found. 



351 



CHAPTER XIII. 



Sketch of the History of Roman Britain, ending A. D. 427 

Julius Ccesar. Claudius. Elephants. Britain is vi- 
sited by many Emperors. York, the Head Quarters of the 

Roman Empire for three years. 'Mines. Wealth. 

Temples. Baths. Amphitheatres. British Empe- 
rors. Carausius ; his powerful feet ; he sails to A frica. 

Conquest of Gaul and Spain by Maximus; he passes the Alps. 

Invasion of Gaul, Spain, and Italy, by Constantine. 

Sudden ruin and destruction of Colonies, Towns, Temples, and 
Palaces. 

Britain, to any one who is searching for truth, or real history, CHAP, 
furnishes no materials which are worthy to occupy his time or atten- XIII. 
tion, until that island attracted the notice of the Romans : and even 
then, for nearly a century, we are confined to the picture which Caesar 
has drawn in his Commentaries. Rude as is his description of the Bri- 
tons, he failed with his immense army to subdue them. The inter- 
course which this event caused between Britain and Italy, appears to 
have had a favourable effect on the savage manners and customs of 
the natives. 

The residence of Agricola may be considered as the foundation of 



352 JULIUS C^SAR. 

CHAP, a rapid approach to a degree of civilization, and even grandeur, seldom 
v^-v-^ granted to their own island, in those ages, by the generality of the 
English in modern times. 

The invasion by Csesar is described in so many books, that it will 
be merely glanced at in this chapter, in order to dwell at greater length 
on that part of history, which is more to the purpose of this essay; 
and much less known to most readers. 

From the first invasion of Britain, by J ulius Csesar, about fifty-four 
years before Christ, to the abandoning of the island, is four hundred 
and eighty-one years. Of this number there are no less than three 
hundred and twenty years in which Britain is not noticed by any 
known author*. In the rest of that long period, war is almost the 
only topic which engages the attention of the Romans, when Britain 
is mentioned. 

The manners and customs of the Britons, and of the resident Ro- 
mans, while the island was under their domination, can only be known 
by the few incidental remarks that can be collected, and the very 
numerous vestiges which have been discovered and described by An- 
tiquarians. 

Csesar invaded Britain two successive years; the first time with two, 
and the second, with five legions f, and about two thousand cavalry, in 
eight hundred vessels. On the approach of the Romans to the 

* Horsley, Britannia Romana. Chronological table. 

t A legion, without auxiliaries, was about six thousand foot, and with auxilia- 
ries, double the number. The auxiliaries were levies from the conquered coun- 
tries. In the reigns of Dioclesian and Maximian a legion consisted of six thousand 
six hundred and sixty-six. Bernard, Vol. II. p. 348. 



A LARGE ARMED ELEPHANT. 353 

Thames, which they meant to cross, (at Oatlands), Cassivelaunus, with CHAP, 
his army of Britons, were there to dispute the passage, which was forti- k^^J^j 
fied with sharp stakes. Caesar ordered the cavalry to ride into the 
water, and the foot to follow: the ford was about five feet deep. Cae- 
sar had with him a vastly large elephant, covered with an iron coat of 
mail, bearing a large turret upon his back, filled with bow-men and 
slingers. The cavalry and foot attacked the army with vigour*. At 
the approach of the elephant, the Britons, with their horse and cha- 
riots, dismayed at the sight of such a monstrous beast, fled ; and the 
rest of the Romans crossed without opposition f. 

The many advantages gained by the Romans, according to their 
commander's Commentaries, ended in a treaty, by which the Britons 
engaged to pay a moderate tribute : and they gave hostages for the 
performance of their engagement. Caesar departed with his whole ar- 
my; and, "on his return to Rome, as if from a glorious enterprise, he 
offered to Venus, the patroness of his family, a corslet of British 
pearls J." 

Augustus, according to Dion Cassius, set out for the conquest of 
the island, but the Britons sued for peace, and obtained it while he 
was in Gaul. There are British coins with the head of Augustus, and 
the word, tascia, and several with that word and the head of Cunobe- 
line : it is therefore highly probable that tribute was paid, and that 

* Caesar's Commentaries. 

t Polyaenus's Stratagems, B. VIII. Neither Caesar nor any Roman has had the 
candour to mention this stratagem. 

t Milton, Historical Works, Vol. II. p. 19, from Pliny. Suetonius, Ch. XL VII. 
says, "they report that Cassar invaded Britain, in hopes of finding pearls, the big- 
ness of which he would compare together, and examine the weight by poising 
them in his hand." " The British pearls, however, proved of little value, on ac- 
count of their dark and livid colour." Gibbon, Ch. I. Note 6. ' 

zz 



351 DESCRIPTION OF BRITISH COINS. 

CHAP. Horace alludes to that circumstance *. In the reign of Tiberius, some 
XIII. 

<^-v-^ ships belonging to Germanicus were, in a furious storm, driven to Bri- 
tain, and were sent back by Cunobeline f . The mariners, on their re- 



* " On earth a present god shall Caesar reign, 
Since world-divided Britain owns his sway." 

Francis's Horace, B. III. Ode V. 
Milton, in his History, denies that tribute was paid. See Camden, Vol. L p. Ixviii 



t DESCRIPTION OF PLATE I. 

No (COINS OF ANCIENT BRITISH KINGS.) 

1. Cunobeline. The Reverse represents coining. (This coin was found at 
St. Albans.) He was king of the Trinobantes, and resided at Camelodu- 
num (Colchester). He died about A.D. 41. 

2 The same. — Reverse, Apollo. (Found at St. Albans). 

3 The same. — Reverse, a horse. (Found at St. Albans). British horses were 

then much prized. 

4 The same. — Reverse, Pegasus. (Found at Kingscote, Gloucestershire). 

5 Not known. — Reverse, Verulam. (Found at St. Albans). 

6 Caractacus. Son of Cunobeline. He was king of the Silures. His capital 

was Caerguent, in Monmouthshire. (Found at St. Albans). 

6 A. The same. This small brass coin is a great curiosity, having a head of 

this renowned Briton. It is not well executed. The reverse, CARIC. shows 
that Carictacus was the proper way of spelling Ids name: it is from Tac - 
tus that the common spelling is derived. (In the possession of the Earl of 
Winchelsea.) Haym. Vol. I. p. 145. 

7 Arviragus. Son of Cunobeline. He is called the youngest son, by Shakes- 

pear. He was living and celebrated as a monarch of importance in the 
reign of Domitian, by Juvenal, Sat. IV. 127. (Found at Kingscote). 

8 Coin of Boadicea. Queen of the Iceni, whose capital M as Caster, (Norwich). 

The strange figure on the reverse has been conjectured to mean a horse 
worn out by hard labour. (Found at St. Albans). 

9 Not ascertained. Reverse an elephant. (Found in Buckinghamshire). 

The head bears resemblance to Arviragus. 
10. Not known. Reverse an unicorn. (Found in Herefordshire.) Camden 
could not explain the legend. He does not conjecture that it may be de- 
rived from the Greek. See Ch. XI. last note, on the Unicorn. 



©INS of A'MCSENT 



Corns of Ancient British. Euros . 

/ See Description.] 




CALIGULA THREATENS INVASION. 355 

turn, recounted wonders, uncommon birds, and sea monsters of ambi- CHAP. 

XIII. 

guous forms between man and beast: strange sights, (says Tacitus, \^^-^> 
Annal. II.), or the effects of imagination and fear *. 

Not any thing more material is known till Adminius, son of Cuno- 
belinus, having incurred his father's displeasure, fled to Rome, and 
persuaded Caligula, (A. D. 40), to send an army for the conquest of 
Britain. A considerable force was collected on the coast of Belgic 
Gaul. While the army was embarking, Caligula went on board a gal- 
ley, and was rowed towards Britain : but being told that the enemy 
were in force upon their coast, waiting the attack, he speedily return- 
ed, and harangued his army, as if the Britons were in view. The 
charge was sounded, and the troops, by their Emperor's command — 

* These were not the first reports about frightful animals, probably seals. 
The ocean wild that roars, 
With monster-bearing waves, round Britain's rocky shores." 

Horace, B. IV. Ode XIV. 



The words Tascio, Tascia, Tascie, are said to be derived from Taxatio, and 
mean tribute money. For further information, see Pegge's Essay; Cam- 
den's Britannia; and H. Moll's Description of England. 

11 & 12 Are Saxon, (Sancti Petri Moneta,) coined at Eboracum. 

2 A. The head Caracalla. The reverse represents a ship built in an amphi- 
theatre at Rome; from which 400 wild beasts were let out at once. See notes 
on Severus in this Ch. and Ch. XI. The medal is in A. Morellius, 8vo. 
Lipsiae, 1695. Specimen Universae Rei Nummariae, &c. 

13 A. Two sides of an Altar for sacrificing, and the implements: it was found at 

Ribchester, near Preston ; (where many curious Roman antiquities have 
been dug - up). 

14 A. The bottom of a broken sacrificing cup. (Found at Ribchester). 

15 A. Maximian. This Emperor's history is imperfectly known. He had a tri- 

umph for exploits in Britain; and the Roman fleet commanded by him 
was overpowered by that of the British Emperor Carausius, oft* the Isle of 
Wight. 



ZZ 2 



358 A TOWN.— TEMPLES.— THEATRES. 

C ^AP. pire*." Claudius, being victorious, encamped at Camelodunum, the 
w^-v^w 1 royal seat, with three legions. A large well-built town was immedi- 
ately erected, with temples, theatres, &c. 

Togodumnus being killed, it was at this period that Arviragus, ano- 
ther son of Cunobeline, is supposed to have been placed on the throne 
at Camelodunum f . 

After six months' absence, the Emperor returned to Rome : he had 
been but sixteen days in Britain, The senate decreed him a triumph, 
and to him, and to his son, the surname of Britannicus. The pub- 
lic rejoicings lasted many days. Claudius presided in his general's 
cloak, and represented, in the field of Mars, the sacking of a town, and 
the surrender of the British kings J. 

The Britons, having been left in possession of their goods, erected 
a temple to the Emperor at Camelodunum, and paid him divine 
honours. 

Plautius, Vespasian, and his son Titus, (then a military tribune) car- 
ried on the war with great reputation. Vespasian, whom Claudius 
had associated in the direction of this conquest, captured some chiefs, 
gained near thirty battles in the southern provinces ; and conquered 
the Isle of Wight. In one of the conflicts, Vespasian was surrounded, 
and in danger of being killed, but was valiantly rescued by Ti- 

* Milton, Vol. II. p. 21. 

t The beginning of the reign of Claudius being apart of Tacitus which is lost, 
has created uncertainty with respect to the period of Arviragus. Hector Boethius 
(an author of little reputation) relates that he was placed on the throne by Claudius. 
Shakespear, in his play of Cymbeline, (spelt Kymbeline by Milton in his Histo- 
ry), calls him the youngest son of Cunobeline. Juvenal, Sat. IV. 127, proves that 
he was living in Domitian's reign. Claudius invaded the island in the year 43. 
Domitiau began his reign in the year 81 . Therefore the above account of him is pos- 
sibly the truth, but cannot be depended on.— See Camden; and Dr. Pegge, p. 78. 

t Suetonius, Ch. XXI. 



DIGNITIES GRANTED TO VESPASIAN AND PLAUTUS. 359 

tus *. Great dignities and honours were granted to Vespasian, at 9*?^- 
Rome, for his victories f . "~*>—y-^ 

On the return of Plautius to Italy, the Emperor met him without 
the gate of Rome, and in his carriage gave him the right hand seat, 
as they entered, in token of his high applause : an ovation also was 
granted to this meritorious officer, who had, among his other exploits, 
gained a victory over Caractacus. A.J). 47. 

Ostorius Scapula succeeded Plautius as propraetor, (A. D. 50.) — 
He found Britain in great combustion and uproar. Since a peace 
made by restraint, is never sincere, and could not insure repose, he 
determined to deprive of their arms all those whom he suspected, 
and to confine them between the rivers Avon and Severn : a determi- 
nation at first thwarted by the Icenians, a powerful people, who had of 
their own accord confederated with the Romans, and who were not 
weakened by the assaults of war: the bordering nations joined them, 
and an army was formed. 

The place they chose was defended by a ditch, and the approach to 
it was not passable by cavalry. The Roman general, without the 
support of the legions, ranged his cohorts, dismounted the horse, 
forced the ditch, and broke the enemy, who performed many feats of 
bravery. Marcus Ostorius, the general's son, having, in this battle, 
saved the life of a Roman citizen, acquired the civic crown. The 
overthrow of the Icenians calmed those unsettled spirits, who were 
before wavering between peace and war, says Tacitus, and the Ro- 

* Dion Cassius, " Claudius." 

f O thou, to whom the unfrequented sea 

Reserved the honour of discovery! 

"When Caledonia's waves thy vessel bore, 

Those waves that Phrygia's race disdain'd before. 

Valerius Flaccus to Vespasian. Camden, Vol. I. p.xli. 



BRAVERY OF THE SILURES. 

mans were led against the Cangians, (Cheshire and Lancashire), whose 
territories were ravaged. 

The Roman army having reached the shore opposite Ireland, the 
general was informed that commotions had begun among the Brigantes, 
and he returned thither. A few who had raised the revolt were exe- 
cuted, and the rest were pardoned : but no rigour or mercy could re- 
claim the Silures, (South Wales), who were to be reduced only by the 
legions. To facilitate this design, a colony, powerful in the number 
of veterans, was conveyed to Camelodunum, to inure their allies to the 
Roman laws and jurisdiction. To the British king Cogidunus cer- 
tain communities were given: a prince who very long remained faith- 
ful to the Romans. 

From Camelodunum the Roman army marched against the Silures, 
a people resolute and fierce by nature ; and, moreover, confiding in the 
valour of Caractacus *, renowned for disasters, and surpassing all the 
other British commanders. In the advantages and situation of the coun- 
try he was more expert than the Romans, and therefore translated the 
seat of war into the territory of the Ordovices, (North Wales) : and 
being joined by those who feared an unequal peace with their oppo- 
nents, he ventured to try the decision of the sword. 

He chose a place every way incommodious to the Romans f . It 
was on the ridges of steep mountains : and where the sides were ap- 
proachable, he reared walls of stone as ramparts. At the foot of the 
mountain flowed a river, dangerous to be forded ; and a host of men 
guarded his entrenchments. The leaders of the confederate nations 
were busy, from quarter to quarter, exhorting and animating their 

* Caerguent in Monmouthshire, was his capital. 

f Caer Caradoc, two miles south of Clun, and three from Coxal, in Shropshire. 
The ramparts are still visible, in the nineteenth century. 



DEFEAT OF THE BRITONS. 361 
followers: Caractacus flew through the whole army and proclaimed CHAP. 
" That from this battle they must date their liberty rescued ; or their ^~y~^> 
servitude eternally established." He invoked those of their ancestors 
who had exterminated Caesar the Dictator ; " men by whose valour 
they yet lived from tribute, and the Roman axes,— -yet preserved from 
prostitution the persons of their children and wives." 

This loud alacrity of the Britons, amazed the Roman general. The 
river, the ramparts, the declivities, and the hosts of the enemy were 
terrible difficulties. But the soldiers and the tribunes were ardent 
for the attack. Thus animated, Ostorius led them on ; and, without 
much difficulty, gained the opposite bank. In approaching the bul- 
wark, while the encounter was with flights of darts, more of the 
Romans than of the Britons were wounded, and many began to 
fall : but after they had formed themselves into the testudo, or mili- 
tary shell, demolished the huge and shapeless structure of stones, and 
encountered hand to hand upon even ground, the barbarians, says 
Tacitus, betook themselves to the ridges of the mountains, and were 
pursued by the light and heavy armed Romans, who fought in close 
order, while the Britons only discharged their arrows; and, as they 
do not wear armour, their ranks were broken. Where they resisted 
the auxiliaries, they were slaughtered by the swords and javelins of the 
soldiers of the legions ; and by the great sabres and pikes of the auxi- 
liaries, where they faced those of the legions. Signal was this victory. 
The wife and daughter of Caractacus were taken prisoners and his 
brother surrendered to mercy *. 

The British king, after nine years' opposition to the Romans, fled 
for protection to his stepmother, Cartismandua, queen of the Brigan- 
tesf; but adversity, says the Roman historian, has no friends: she 



* Tacitus, An. XII. 



f Yorkshire, Lancashire, Westmoreland, &c. 



362 HEROIC CONDUCT AND GREAT FAME OF CARACTACUS. 

CHAP, loaded him with irons, and delivered him up to the conqueror: he, 
\^e~v~^> with his family, was sent to Rome. The Emperor was proud of his 
captive ; and the curiosity of the Romans was eager to behold a hero 
whose fame had become celebrated even in Italy, from having so long 
withstood the Roman arms. At the solemn procession of the British 
captives into Rome, the military accoutrements, the golden chains 
and rich collars, which the king had gained in various battles, were 
displayed with pomp. All the prisoners descended to abject supplica- 
tions, unworthy of their quality, says Tacitus, except Caractacus, who, 
with dignity and unshaken fortitude, addressed the tribunal, on the 
nobility of his birth, his former power, his actions, and his present fate. 
" If you are bent on vengeance," said he, " execute your purpose, and 
the bloody scene will soon be at an end. Preserve my life, and I shall 
remain a monument of Roman clemency." Claudius was charmed 
with the heroic boldness of his prisoner, and pardoned him and his 
family. The captives were all unbound, and submissively returned 
thanks to the Emperor, and his Empress Agrippina, who were seated 
in state, in the midst of the cohorts. When the senate was assembled, 
many and pompous encomiums were pronounced on the taking of Ca- 
ractacus, as an event no less illustrious than the capture of Syphax by 
Publius Scipio, Perses by Lucius Paulus, or any other conquered 
kings, which the great captains had presented to the Roman people*. 

* Caractacus was one of the sons of Cunobeline, whose family appears to have 
been the most powerful in Britain. Since the visit of Julius Caesar, great progress 
had been made in civilization. Always shewing- bravery, but not polished, tbe 
Britons do not appear to have had justice done them. How could Tacitus venture 
to compare this capture as equal in fame to those of the sovereigns of Africa and 
Macedon, if they were the barbarians that they are in general in English histo- 
ry represented to have been? Probably, most readers form their opinion of the Bri- 
tons from the account of them in Caesar's Commentaries, without taking into consi- 
deration the great change that was quickly effected by their intercourse with the 



COURAGE AND CONDUCT OF THE SILURES. 363 

The triumphal ornaments were decreed to Ostorius. The brave Bri- CHAP, 
tish king, when conducted through Rome to survey its grandeur — 
« Why are you Romans," said he, " who live in such magnificence, so 
desirous to possess our country?" 

The Romans, perhaps, thought that the capture of Caractacus had 
finished the war: but the Britons, burning for revenge at the loss of 
so great a king, by surprise assailed the camp-marshal and legion- 
ary cohorts left to raise fortresses in the country of the Silures ; and, 
but for sudden succours from the circumjacent garrisons, " our troops" 
says Tacitus, "had been cut in pieces; as it was, the marshal himself 
and eight centurions were there slain, with the most resolute soldiers." 
Soon after, the foragers, and even the Roman troops sent to guard 
them, were entirely routed. Ostorius despatched to their relief some 
cohorts lightly armed, but they were not able to stay the flight, so 
that the legions were drawn out to restore the battle ; which, by their 
strength, instantly became equal. The Britons fled ; but, as the night 
approached, with slight loss. Frequent encounters continued in woods 
and morasses; sometimes by command of their officers, and often 
without their knowledge. 

Of all others, the Silures were the most implacable : they were in- 
censed by a saying of the Roman general, current amongst them, 
" that their name must be utterly extinguished, as was that of the 
Sugambrians, who had been partly cut off, and the rest transplanted 
into Gaul." Thus animated, they surprised and carried off two auxili- 
ary cohorts, who were plundering the country to satiate the avarice 

Romans. The term, Barbarians, was applied, by the Romans, to all nations except 
the Greeks; as it was by the Egyptians to all who did not speak their language. 
See Herodotus, Clio, Ch. I. Note 2; Euterpe, Ch. CLVIII. The subsequent 
fate of Caractacus is not known. See Plate I. Coin A 6. for a likeness of this 
celebrated person. 



AAA 2 



OSTORIUS SCAPULA DIES OF ANXIETY. 

of their officers; and the Britons by distributing the spoil and cap- 
tives among the neighbouring nations, were drawing them also into 
the revolt, when Ostorius, sinking under the weight of his anxieties, 
expired; to the great joy of the enemy, that so considerable a captain 
had perished in the war. 

The Emperor Claudius immediately sent over Aulus Didius; but, 
before he could arrive, the legion commanded by Manlius Valens had 
suffered a defeat. Didius now attacked and repulsed the Britons. 
Their ablest warrior, since the capture of Caractacus, was Venusius, 
of the city of the Jugantes ; a man long faithful to the Romans, and 
protected by their arms, during his marriage with Cartismandua, Queen 
of the Brigantes; but being divorced from her, and opposing her in 
war, he likewise began hostilities against the Romans. The queen 
having, by stratagem, possessed herself of the brother and other kin- 
dred of Venusius, he was exasperated; and, scorning the infamy of fall- 
ing under the dominion of a woman, assembled all the ablest and most 
warlike youth, and invaded her territories. The Romans perceiving 
this, had sent some cohorts to the queen's aid ; and, after a fierce bat- 
tle, she was victorius. Didius, unwieldy with age, and satiated with 
honours, acted by his lieutenants ; and the legion commanded by Ce- 
sius Nasica was successful against the Britons*. 

The Emperor Claudius was poisoned, A. D. 54 f. 

Avitus had succeeded Aulus Didius. At this time the Romans 
suffered great loss in Britain ; and Avitus could but just maintain his 
conquests. He was replaced by Veranius, who ravaged some part of 
the country of the Silures, but was intercepted by death. He flattered 

* Tacitus, An. XII. 

f When Claudius was sick, Nero presented the people with a hunting of wild 
beasts, for his health. Suetonius, Nero, Ch. VII. This was probably by the or- 
der of Agrippina. 



ANGLESEA.— DRUIDS.— TYRANNY OF THE ROMANS. 



365 



Nero in his will, and added, " that if his life had been prolonged for two CHAP. 



On the shores of the island, where the Britons were drawn up, the 
Romans were amazed at the sight of women, with their hair disheveled, 
and fire-brands in their hands, frantic and furious, surrounded by Dru- 
ids, with uplifted hands, and pouring out bitter and direful impreca- 
tions on the invaders. The astonished and dismayed Romans paused 
and stood motionless with terror. Exhorted repeatedly by their ge- 
neral, they at length fell on the enemy, sword in hand, and conquered 
Mona. In the mean while, Prasatugus, long renowned for his opulence a.D. 60. 
and grandeur, king of the Icenians, died, and left Nero co-heir, with 
his two daughters, of his great treasures: but the Emperor's officers 
seized the whole in the name of their master f . The widow, Boadi- 
cea, remonstrating against this injustice, underwent the ignominious 
violence of stripes, and her daughters were brutally dishonoured. In- 
dignant at this infamous conduct, all the Britons subjected to the Ro- 
mans, (except London), revolted. The Trinobantes were particularly 
exasperated by the Roman veterans having turned them out of their 
houses, and debased them by the vile titles of captives and slaves. 

Catus Decianus, the procurator, regardless of law or justice, confis- 
cated the property guarantied by the decree of Claudius. Seneca, 
the moralist and philosopher, having lent the Britons about three 



years longer, he should have completely subjected that province to 
his obedience." Suetonius Paulinus was appointed to the command. 
He invaded Mona, (Anglesea), the common refuge of revolters and fu- 
gitives, and where the captives were sacrificed in the consecrated 
groves*. 



XIII. 




* Tacitus, An. XIV. 

% The country of the Iceni was Norfolk, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire. Venta 
Icenorum (now Caster, near Norwich,) was their capital. 



366 



TERRIBLE MASSACRE LONDON BURNT. 



CHAP, hundred thousand pounds on usurious interest, exacted rigorously, on 
XIII 

a sudden, the repayment. (A. D. 61). 



At this period, says Tacitus, the statue of victory at Camelodunura 
tumbled down, with her face turned round ; some women were trans- 
ported with oracular fury, and chaunted destruction to be at hand. In 
the places of public business the accent and tumultuous murmurs of 
strangers were heard: their theatre echoed with dismal howlings; and 
in the lakes, formed by the tides resisting the Thames, a representa- 
tion was seen of a colony overthrown. The sea was dyed with blood, 
and phantoms of human bodies appeared left behind on the strand. 
These omens filled the Britons with joy and hope: the Romans were 
cast down with fear and despondency*. They sought succours from 
the procurator of the province, who sent them only two hundred men ; 
and there was but a small number in the colony itself. 

The Britons rose ; and every thing at Camelodunum yielded to in- 
stant violence, and was razed or burnt f . The temple stood a siege of 
two days, all the soldiers having retired thither; and was then taken 
by storm. Petilius Cerialis, commander of the ninth legion, as he ad- 
vanced to relieve his friend, was met and encountered by the victo- 
rious Britons : his legion was routed, and all his infantry were slain. 
Cerialis, with the horse, escaped to the camp, and there defended him- 
self in his entrenchments. 

The terrified procurator, universally hated by the province, driven 
thus into hostility, by his rapacious avarice, fled into Gaul + 

Suetonius bravely marched through the heart of the insurrection 
quite to London, " a city, in truth, not distinguished with the title of a 
colony, but highly famed for the vast conflux of traders, and her abun- 



* See Dion Cassius, Vol. 1, p. 345. 
f The town, Pliny relates, was quickly restored. % Tacitus, An. XIV. 



EDICT OF NERO RELATING TO WILD BEASTS. 367 

dant commerce and plenty. Suetonius feared to make London his head- CHAP. 

XIII. 

quarters, in consequence of the small number of his troops. Many of v^-^-O 
the inhabitants left London with him: whoever staid behind, whether 
from the weakness of their sex, the decrepitude of age, or the charms 
of the place, fell, without exception; and London was reduced to ashes. 
The like slaughter befel the municipal city of Verulamium, (St. Ai- a.D. CI. 
bans). It appeared that seventy thousand Romans or confederates of 
Rome, for the Britons neither made, nor sold, nor exchanged prison- 
ers, were gibbeted, burnt, or crucified, with the desperation of men 
who were sure of undergoing a terrible doom, and who resolved, by 
anticipation, to spill the blood of others before their own was 
spilt*." 

In the battle that followed, Suetonius had ten thousand men only, 
while the queen's army is said by Dion Cassius, to have consisted of 
two hundred and thirty thousand, confident in their courage and 
numbers. Suetonius chose a place which stretched out before into a 



* A short time previous to the massacre, the Emperor, says Tacitus, issued an 
edict, " That no procurator, or any other magistrate, who had obtained a charge 
in any province, should exhibit a spectacle of gladiators or wild beasts, nor of any 
other popular entertainment whatsoever; for, before this, they had, by such acts of 
munificence, no less afflicted those under their jurisdiction, than by plundering 
them of their money, whilst, under the influence of such court to the multitude, 
they sheltered their arbitrary delinquencies and rapine." Claudius sent his army 
to Britain, A. J). 48. Nero succeeded Claudius in the year 54. The massacre 
was in the year 61. This remarkable edict was issued not long before the massa- 
cre, which happened when the Romans had been in the possession of Britain 
for fifteen or sixteen years, and had very probably been entertaining the natives 
with the novel and extraordinary shows, and battles of wild beasts, at exorbitant 
charges. Seneca's loans are a proof that no one was scrupulous of profiting by a 
newly conquered and rich country. Tacitus remarks, (Life of Agricola), that Bri- 
tain had sufficient gold and silver amply to reward all the toils and dangers of its 
conquerors, besides its great wealth in mines. 



368 



HEROISM AND DEATH OF BOADICEA. 



CHAP, hollow and narrow vale, with steep sides, and was behind girt in with 
XIII. 
^^-^j wood. 

The heroine, with her daughters at her side, in the chariot, rode 
among the several nations, animating them to revenge the wrongs they 
suffered, from the lust of their oppressors : besides, added she, " you 
pay a tax for your very bodies ; my resolution is, to vanquish or die : 
as for the men, they may, if they please, live and be slaves." At the 
end of her speech, she let loose a hare, which she had concealed in her 
bosom, as a good omen of victory. 

The Britons were slain to the number of eighty thousand; while the 
Romans had but eight hundred killed and wounded: so superior is 
discipline to numbers and the most desperate courage. The unhappy 
queen poisoned herself. 

Poenius Postumus, camp-marshal to the second legion, on the tid- 
ings of the exploits and success of the fourteenth and twentieth legions ; 
as he had defrauded bis own of equal honour, and, contrary to the laws 
of military duty, had disobeyed the orders of his general, pierced 
himself through with his sword. 

Suetonius received strong reinforcements from Germany*, while 
the Britons were dying in numbers by famine ; having neglected to 
cultivate the ground f. 

Besides that, this people, by nature wonderfully stubborn, says Taci- 

* On the losing of Britain and Armenia, Nero thought that he had run through 
all the misfortunes the Fates had decreed him. Suetonius, Ch. XL. 

t About this period, or later, a Roman senator married a British lady named 
Claudia Rufina, an accomplished beauty. Rapin, (Vol. I. p. 14,) supposes this 
lady to be one of the Saints mentioned by St. Paul. See Milton's 8vo edit. p. 93. 

" From painted Britons how was Claudia born? 

The fair barbarian how do arts adorn|'?. 

When Roman charms a Grecian soul commend, 

Athens and Rome may for the dame contend." Martial. 



NERO'S AMBASSADOR DERIDED. 



369 



tus, were become more averse to peace, from the behaviour of Julius CHAP. 

XIII. 

Classicianus, who had arrived as successor to Catus ; and, being at v^-v-=**. 
variance with Suetonius, he obstructed the public good, to gratify pri- 
vate pique ; every where publishing, that another governor was ex- 
pected, who was free from the arrogance of a conqueror. He trans- 
mitted advice to Rome of the necessity of a change, charging all the 
recent disasters to the bad conduct of Suetonius. Nero despatched to 
Britain Polycletus, one of the imperial freedmen, conceiving mighty 
hopes, that, by the authority of his domestic, private amity between 
the governor and procurator would not only be effected, but that the 
hostile spirit of the Britons would be reconciled to peace. Polycletus 
travelled through Italy and Gaul, and oppressed both with his enor- 
mous train; and thence crossing the Channel, he marched in such 
awful state, that he became a terror even to the Roman soldiers. To 
the Britons he proved an object of derision : for, as amongst them po- 
pular liberty even then reigned, they were hitherto utter strangers to 
the power of manumitted bondsmen. They were amazed, that a gene- 
ral and army who had finished so formidable a war, should be subser- 
vient to slaves. From the report of Polycletus, Suetonius was 
continued in the government; but having lost a few gallies and their 
rowers, he was ordered to resign his army to Petronius Turpilianus, 
who had just finished his consulship ; a commander, who, on his stupid 
inaction, bestowed the appellation of peace*. His successor, Tre- 
bellius Maximus, fled out of Britain, scared by the fury and me- 
naces of the soldiers, and was succeeded by Vettius Bolanusf, in the 
reign of Vitellius. 

Petilius Cerealis, of consular dignity, was sent by Vespasian, as go- 
vernor, to Britain. 



* Tacitus. 



f Tacitus, History, B. II. 

BBB 



370 QUEEN OF THE BRIGANTES. — VENUSIUS. 

^3AF' I n that island the affection for Vespasian was great. He had com- 
v^-.^v-w' manded the second legion there in the reign of Claudius, and acquit- 
ed himself with great glory. 

The troops in that country acceded to his party; but not without 
opposition from the other legions ; in which many centurions, and 
many soldiers had been promoted by Vitellius, and were brought with 
regret to change a prince of whom they had already had some experi- 
ence. 

A.D. 69. From these contests and reports of civil war in Italy, the Britons, 
swayed by Venusius, who hated the Roman name, and was at personal 
enmity with Cartismandua, the queen of the Brigantes, resumed hos- 
tilities. This lady was illustrious in her race, and her power had been 
greatly augmented since the merit she enjoyed of having given up Ca- 
ractacus to the Romans. Hence her opulence and wild riot in pros- 
perity. Rejecting her husband Venusius, she conferred her person 
and crown on Vellocatus, his armour-bearer. By this reproachful ac- 
tion the queen wrought the present ruin of her house. The Brigantes 
revolted in favour of Venusius. Cartismandua, by the Roman squad- 
rons and cohorts, was rescued from impending danger : but the king- 
dom remained to Venusius, and the war to the Romans*. 

Cerealis defeated the Brigantes in several battles, some of which 

A. D. 74. were very bloody, Vespasian had sent off to Italy many British recruits, 
during his war with Vitellius. Julius Frontinus was now governor ; 
he in his turn had to sustain this mighty task ; and utterly subdued 
the powerful Silures. 

Such was now the condition of Britain. Who were the first in- 
habitants of the island, cannot be known, says Tacitus, among a people 
so barbarous. In their looks and persons, they vary. The red hair 



Tacitus, History, B. III. Ch. XLTII. 



BRITONS DESCRIBED.— CLIMATE. 37 

and large limbs of the Caledonians testify their descent to be from CHAP. 

XIII 

Germany. The swarthy complexion of the Silures, and their hair, v s - «»» v -^. 
which is generally curled, with their situation, opposite the coast of 
Spain, furnish ground to believe that they are descendants from the 
ancient Iberians. They who live next to Gaul,, are like the Gauls : 
their sacred rights and superstitions are the same; their speech does 
not much vary ; in daring dangers they are prompted by the like bold- 
ness, and with the like affright avoid them when they approach. In 
the Britons, however, superior ferocity and defiance is found, as in a 
people not yet softened by a long peace; for we learn from history 
that the Gauls, too, flourished in warlike prowess and renown ; but 
that with peace and idleness, effeminacy entered ; and thus, with the 
loss of their liberty, they lost their spirit and magnanimity. The same 
happened to those of the Britons who were conquered long ago. The 
rest continue such as the Gauls once were. 

Their principal force consists in their foot. Some nations among 
them make war in chariots. The more honourable person always 
drives, and under his leading, his followers fight. They were formerly 
subject to kings. They are now swayed by several chiefs, and rent 
into factions and parties. Against nations thus powerful, nought 
avails the Romans so much as that they consult not in a body. 

The sky of the island is dull and heavy; but there is not excessive 
cold. The soil is such, that except the olive and the vine, it readily 
bears all fruits and grain, and is very fertile ; it produces quickly, but 
from the extreme humidity, its productions ripen slowly. 

Britain yields gold, silver, and other metals, all of which prove 
the prize and reward of the conquerors. The sea breeds pearls, 
but of a dark and livid hue, a defect ascribed by some to the unskilful- 
ness of those who gather them : for myself, continues the Roman his- 



BBB 2 



372 CHARACTER OF THE BRITONS. 

CHAP, torian, I am much apter to believe that nature has not given these 
(y^-v-o pearls perfection, than that we fail in avarice. 

The Britons themselves cheerfully comply with the levies of men, 
the imposition of taxes, and all the duties enjoined by government ; 
provided they receive no illegal treatment and insults from their go- 
vernors : those they bear with impatience. Nor have the Romans any 
farther subdued them, than only to obey just laws, but never to sub- 
mit to be slaves. Even the deified Julius Csesar, the first of all the 
Romans who entered Britain with an army, though, by gaining a bat- 
tle, he frightened the natives, and became master of the coast; yet he 
may be thought to have rather presented posterity with a view of the 
country, than to have conveyed down the possession. The civil wars 
ensuing, Britain was long forgotten, and continued to be so even dur- 
ing peace. This was what Augustus called Reasons of State, but 
what Tiberius stiled the Ordinance of Augustus*. 
A.D. 78. Towards the end of Vespasian's reign f, (A. D. 78), Julius Agricola, 
who in his youth had been trained up in the British wars, succeeded 
to the command; a general of the highest reputation. He entirely de- 
feated the Ordovices, (North Wales), who had surprised and killed a 
whole squadron of Roman horse. 

Mona required again to be invaded. Agricola, by his sudden attack, 
his prudence and justice, conciliated that island. Such was his discre- 
tion that he did not apply this his good fortune and success to any pur- 
pose of vain glory : nor would he so much as with the bare honour of the 

* Tacitus, Life of Agricola. 
f Referring* to this period, Josep hus writes, " As for those who place so much 
confidence in the walls of Jerusalem, they would do well to consider the walls of 
Britain, where the inhabitants are surrounded by the sea in a kind of a new world, 
not much inferior to the other. They have made themselves masters of this vast 
island too, and assigned only four legions as a guard upon it." Wars of the Jews, 
B. II. Ch. XVI. Sir Roger L'Estrange's Ed. 



AGRICOLA, HIS PRUDENCE AND JUSTICE. 373 

laurel distinguish these exploits. Men considered how vast must be CHAP, 
his future views, when he thus smothered in silence deeds so noble*, k^^^j 
Being acquainted with the temper of the Britons, he determined to 
cut off all the causes of war. Beginning with himself, he checked and 
regulated his own household; a task which to many is not less diffi- 
cult than governing a province. He did not permit any thing which 
concerned the public to be transacted by a domestic, bond or free. 

He raised the soldiers to a superior class, being convinced that the 
best are ever the most faithful. For small offences he was often satis- 
fied with the remorse of the culprit: for such as were great he exer- 
cised proportionable severity. Though the imposition of tribute and 
grain had been augmented, he caused it to be adjusted with equality. 
The inhabitants had been forced to bear the mockery of attending at 
their own barns, locked up by the publicans, and of purchasing their own 
corn of the monopolists ; they had moreover been enjoined to carry 
grain across the countries to great distances. By suppressing these 
grievances, Agricola gained a high character ; for, till then, a state of 
peace had been no less dreaded than that of war. 

By his wise and mild conduct, several communities, which till now 
had kept their independence, ceased hostility, gave hostages, and were 
begirt with garrisons and fortresses, erected with such just contriv- 
ance, that no part of Britain hitherto known, escaped thenceforward 
from being annoyed by them. The following winter Agricola pri- 
vately exhorted, then publicly assisted, the Britons to build temples 
and houses and places of assembling. He was taking care to have the 
sons of their chiefs taught the liberal sciences, already preferring the 

* Tacitus. We may perceive and admire the affectionate partiality of this ce- 
lebrated historian for his father in law, throughout his life of Agricola. It is per- 
haps requisite to keep this in mind, when trusting- to the authority of Tacitus con- 
cerning Agricola. 



374 PROGRESS OF CIVILIZATION. 

CflAP. natural capacity of the Britons to the studied acquirement of the 
v-p-v-w^ Gauls; and such was his success, that they who had so lately scorned 
to learn the language, were become fond of acquiring the Roman elo* 
quence. They began to honour the apparel, and the use of the Ro- 
man gown grew frequent among them. By degrees, they proceeded to 
the incitements and charms of vice and dissoluteness, to magnificent 
galleries, sumptuous bagnios, and all the stimulations and elegance of 
banquetting. In the third year of his command, Agricola discovered 
new people, and continued his enterprises quite to the mouth of the 
Tay. Terror seized the inhabitants, and they dared not attack the 
Romans, though they were annoyed and shaken by terrible tempests. 
The Romans secured possession, by erecting forts, and no place of 
strength was founded by Agricola, that was ever taken by violence : 
they were supplied with provisions for a year ; and each fortress de- 
fended itself through the winter : which reduced the Caledonians to 
despair. Agricola never arrogated to himself the glory of exploits per- 
formed by others : were he a centurion or the commander of a legion, in 
his general he found a sincere witness of his achievements. By some, 
he is said to have been over sharp in his reproofs, but from his anger 
no spleen remained. 

Vespasian having died, Titus continued Agricola in the command; 
this Emperor* expired on the 13th of September, 81; and Agricola 
remained as governor under Domitian f . Agricola built a chain of 

* Titus was saluted Emperor no less than fifteen times for Agricola's successes. 
Camden, Vol. I. p. xiii. 

f Arviragus was living in Domitian's reign. 

" A great omen 
You have of a great and illustrious triumph: 
You will take some king, or from a British chariot 
Arviragus will fall." Madan's Juvenal, Sat. IV. 127. 



IRELAND. — INVASION OF CALEDONIA. 



375 



fortresses from the Clyde to the Frith of Forth ; and furnished them CHAP. 

XIII. 

with garrisons, to secure his conquests from the inroads of the northern ^^-v-**. 
tribes. 

" In the fifth year of the war, Agricola passed the Frith of Forth, 
himself being in the first ship that reached the land. Here he sub- 
dued nations, till that time not known; and placed garrisons on the 
coast of Britain, which faces Ireland ; which in soil and climate, as 
also in the temper and manners of the natives, varies little from 
Britain ; its ports and landings are better known, through the frequen- 
cy of commerce and merchants. A petty king of that country, who 
had been expelled by domestic dissension, was protected by Agri- 
cola *. 

He coasted and explored the large communities beyond the Frith. 
His fleet by sea, and his army by land, made a glorious appearance. 
The same camp often contained the foot, the horse, and the marines ; 
all intermixed, and severally magnifying their own feats and hazards 
amidst dismal forests, steep mountains, and tempestuous seas. The 
sight of the fleet struck the Britons with dismay. The last refuge of 
the vanquished was now invaded. 

The intrepid Caledonians attacked the forts, and defied the invaders. 
Agricola divided his army into three parts, to prevent the enemy from 
surrounding him. The Caledonians, availing themselves of the op- 
portunity thus offered, assaulted the ninth legion in the night, slew 
the guards, and entered the trenches : they were pursuing the fight in 
the camp itself f, in the gates of which a bloody encounter ensued. 
The Caledonians were routed, and fled to the woods and marshes. 



* Tacitus. 

t Supposed to be at Lochore, two miles from Lochleven, where there is a 
Roman camp. 



376 SPEECH OF GALGACUS TO HIS ARMY. 

CHAP. The Romans were elated at this success and the renown thus gained 
^J^l^i by their valour. 

The spirit of the Caledonians was unsubdued, they armed their 
young men, and placed their wives and children in secure towns. 

The summer having commenced, Galgacus, the bravest and noblest 
commander of the Caledonians, encamped on the Grampian Hills, 
with thirty thousand men in arms. The youths, and such of the elder- 
ly men as were still hale, and had distinguished themselves in war, 
continued to flock in. Agricola arrived with his army. 

On the approach of the two armies, Galgacus addressed his troops : 
" When I contemplate," said he, " the necessity to which we are re- 
duced, great is my confidence that this union of yours, will this day 
prove the beginning of universal liberty to Britain. Bondage is what 
we have never borne. Beyond us is no land, and the Roman fleet is 
upon our coast. Arms are therefore the safest refuge, even for 
cowards. The other Britons have had various success, and their re- 
maining hope is in us, the noblest, and, thence, placed in its innermost 
regions. This remote tract, unknown even to common fame, is the 
last that enjoys liberty. Against the domineering plunderers of the 
earth and sea, humility will prove no refuge. To commit spoil and 
butchery, they call government ; and where they have spread desola- 
tion, they call it peace. If our wives and sisters escape their violence, 
they are debauched by their pretended hospitality. Our fortunes 
are exhausted for tribute, our grain for their provision. We are 
doomed, under blows, to fell forests and to drain bogs. Remember 
that the Brigantes under a woman stormed the Roman entrenchments; 
but success degenerated into sloth. There are Britons in the enemy's 
army, with shame I mention it, but they are only held by terror, frail 
bondage of endearment ! 

" Whatever the Romans behold around them, strikes them with 



AGRICOLA ADDRESSES HIS TROOPS. 37 

dread: the air, the sky. the woods, the sea; all is wild and strange, CHAP, 
so that the Gods have, in some sort, delivered them inclosed and .^^J^ 
bound into our hands. Be not dismayed with a glare of gold and 
silver, which can neither wound nor save. In the host of the enemy 
we shall find that the Britons will espouse their genuine cause ; the 
Gauls will recollect their former liberty ; the Germans will abandon 
the Romans. The Romans have no wives to hearten and urge them ; 
no fathers and mothers to upbraid them for flying. 

" The Roman colonies are full of dissensions — here you see a gene- 
ral, here an army. There you may behold tributes, and the mines, 
with all other curses, ever pursuing men enslaved. 

" Whether these things are to be for ever imposed; or whether we, 
forthwith, avenge ourselves for the attempt, this very field must deter- 
mine. Therefore, as you advance to battle, look back on your ances- 
tors; look forward to your posterity!" 

This speech, says Tacitus, was received joyfully, with chantings, 
terrible din, and dissonant shouts, after the manner of barbarians. 
Already their bands moved, and the glittering of their arms appeared ; 
the most resolute were running to their front, and the army forming 
in battle array : when Agricola, though seeing his soldiers full of ala- 
crity, and hardly to be restrained by express cautions, chose to address 
them : " It is now the eighth year, my fellow soldiers, since you have 
been pursuing the conquest of Britain. In the many battles you have 
fought, you have had constant occasion either to be exerting your bra- 
very against the foe, or your patience against the obstacles of nature. 
We now possess the extremity of Britain with our camps and ar- 
mies. In the midst of fatigue, while passing morasses, rivers, and 
mountains, I have been wont to hear those who are remarkably brave 
ask, — When shall we see the enemy, when he led to battle? Already, 
roused from their fastnesses and lurking holes, they are come. Now, 



c c c 



378 IMPORTANT BATTLE. 

CHAP, all is propitious, if you conquer ; all is disaster, if you be vanquished. 
XIII. 

^^v-^/ Safety, there is none, in turning our backs on the foe; neither 
would it be a fate void of glory to fall in this, the utmost verge of the 
earth and of nature. These are the enemy you utterly discomfited 
last year, by the terror of your shouting ; when, by stealth, they at- 
tacked a single legion in the dark. These are they, who, of all the 
Britons, are the most abandoned to fear and flight, and thence happen 
to survive the rest; a crowd, fearful and effeminate, and stand in yonder 
field, benumbed and bereft of spirit. Here close a struggle of fifty 
years ; so that there may not be imputed to the army either the procras- 
tination of the war, or any cause for reviving it." 

The centre of the Roman army was composed of a strong band of 
eight thousand auxiliary foot. The wings were environed with three 
thousand horse. The legions, without advancing, stood embattled 
just without the entrenchments: for mighty would be the glory of the 
victory, were it gained without spilling Roman blood. 

The British host was ranged upon the rising ground, both for show 
and terror: the first band standing upon the plain, and the rest rising 
successively behind. Their cavalry and chariots of war filled the in- 
terjacent field with great tumults and bounding to and fro. 

Agricola, fearing he might be beset at once in front, and on each 
flank, extended his troops. Many advised him to bring on the legions, 
but, ever firm, he dismounted, and advanced on foot before the 
banners. In the beginning, the conflict was maintained at a distance. 
The Britons*, brave and skilful, armed with their huge swords and 
small bucklers, quite eluded the missive weapons, or beat them off; 
whilst, of their own, they poured a torrent upon the Romans ; till Agri- 
cola encouraged three Batavian and two Tungrian cohorts to close 



* Tacitus uses the terms Britons and Caledonians promiscuously. 



DEFEAT AND DREADFUL SLAUGHTER. 



379 



with the enemy, hand to hand, a familiar practice with those veterans, CHAP, 
but embarrassing to the Caledonians, who were armed with little tar- v^***^^ 
gets, and swords of enormous size, round at the end, and unfit for grap- 
pling. The Batavians thickened their blows, wounding the foe with 
the iron bosses of their bucklers, and mangling their faces : they were 
bearing down all those who were upon the plain, when the rest of the 
cohorts joined them, and made havoc of all they encountered. The 
British cavalry fled. The chariots of war mingled with the foot : and 
now, losing their riders, the horses ran wild and affrighted, and beat 
down the troops of their own side. While the Romans were urging 
their victory, the Britons upon the hills, who were yet fresh, looked 
with scorn on the enemy, and endeavoured imperceptibly to surround 
their rear. Agricola, who had apprehended this very design, des- 
patched four squadrons of horse to engage them: they charged in 
front, wheeled about, assailed, and utterly routed the Britons. The 
spectacle was tragical ; and the present captives were always slaugh- 
tered as often as others were taken. 

Some of the vanquished fled in large troops, with all their arms, be- 
fore a small force : others, unarmed, rushed desperately into peril and 
instant death. Some of the conquered exerted notable wrath and bra- 
very. When near the woods, they joined, and circumvented the fore- 
most pursuers, who had rashly ventured too far. Agricola, fearing 
some disaster from this want of caution, kept his ranks close, and con- 
tinued the pursuit, till a satiety of slaughter, and night, ended the battle. 

Of the Britons, ten thousand were slain. There fell of the Romans 
three hundred and forty; amongst these was Aulus Atticus, command- 
er of a cohort, who, by his own youthful heat, and a fiery horse, was 
hurried into the midst of the enemy*. 



This great battle, according to Mr. Gordon, was fought in Strathern, half a 
CCC2 



380 ROMAN FLEET SAILS ROUND THE ISLAND. 

It was a night of great joy to the conquerors, both from the victory 
and. the spoil. The Britons wandered in despair. Sometimes, on be-* 
holding their dearest pledges of nature, their spirits became utterly 
sunk and dejected: some by the same sight were roused into resolu- 1 
tion and fury. It is certain, that some murdered their wives and 
children, as an act of compassion and tenderness. 

The next day produced profound silence, solitary hills, thick smoke 
arising from the houses on fire, and not a living soul to be found by the 
scouts. 

The summer being nearly spent, Agricola conducted his army to the 
borders of the Horestians, where he received hostages, and ordered 
the admiral of the fleet to sail round Britain. Quitting the Frith of 
Tay, the fleet passed round the north of the island, and, with great 
fame, arrived at the port of Sandwich, whence they had originally de- 
parted. 

A.D. 86. Titus had admired and rewarded Agricola, but his brother, Do- 
mitian, received the news of this great victory with feigned joy*: 
but it was dreadful above all things to him, that the name of a private 

A.D. 87. man should be exalted above that of the Emperor. Agricola was re- 
called. Domitian, conscious of the derision inevitable on account of 
his mock triumph over the Germans, for which he had purchased a 
number of slaves, and dressed them to resemble captives, was stung 
at the thoughts of the unfavorable comparison ; and, notwithstanding 
the modesty and prudence of Agricola after he returned to Italy* 



mile from the Kirk of Comerie, where there is a remarkable encampment. — 
Rapin. 

* In Domitian's reign, the Britons were not inferior, in way of life and improve- 
ment, to the other provinces. —Camden, Vol. I. p. xlvii. Also Juvenal, Sato 
XV. Ill, says— 

" And learned Gaul the British lawyers forms." 



ADRIAN ARRIVES IN BRITAIN. 381 

where he lived in retirement, there is little doubt of the jealous and CHAP. 

XIII. 

cruel tyrant having poisoned him* (A. D. 93, aged 56). <**-^-*^> 

Britain, south of Agricola's forts, in which he placed strong garri- 
sons, was now become a Roman province ; and the natives, adopting 
the Roman customs and manners, made but faint attempts to recover 
their liberty. Nothing occurred, that has been noticed by historians, 
except that in Trajan's reign Britain revolted and was subdued, till the 
reign of Adrian, when the northern people demolished some of Agri- 
cola's fortresses, and made irruptions into the Roman province. Ju- 
lius Severus, a general of renown, governed the island ; but having been 
sent to suppress the Jews, who were in tumult, Adrian himself ar- 
rived in Britain. Hearing, at York, from some old soldiers who had A. D. 124, 
accompanied Agricola in his expedition, what kind of country he had 
to invade, he resolved on abandoning the territory north of the Tyne 
and Solway Frithf . He dug a deep ditch, and made a lofty and spacious 
rampart from sea to sea, above sixty miles in length, and garrisoned 
eighteen thousand Roman troops in forts and stations, at proper 
distances. While in Britain, Adrian received news of the death of 

* Domitian put to death Sallustius Lucullus, Lieutenant of Britain, for suffering 
some lances of a new invention to be called Lucullean. — Suetonius, Ch. X. 

t " Adrian, careless of repose, marched, bare-headed, over the sultry plains of 
Upper Egypt, and the snows of Caledonia."— Gibbon, Ch. I. It does not, how- 
ever, appear, that he invaded Caledonia, while he was in Britain: Florus writes. 

" Csesar, I envy not thy trade, 
Among the Britons to parade, 
And midst the Scottish frosts be laid 6 " 

To which Adrian replies, 

" Florus, I envy not thy sphere, 
Taverns to haunt in quest of cheer; 
To lounge in every eat ng-house, 
And there in brimmers to carouse." 



3S2 EIGHT THOUSAND SCYTHIANS SENT TO BRITAIN. 

CHAP. Plotina, the widow of Trajan, to whom he chiefly owed his elevation. 

v^-^-O His grief was so immoderate, as to be attributed to love for that em- 
press *. Adrian returned to Rome, and was honoured with medals — To 
the Restorer of Britain : he left Priscus Licinius as governor. 

In the reign of Antoninus Pius, on the removal of some of the 
Roman troops, Adrian's rampart was in several places destroyed, and 
the country ravaged by the Caledonians. Lollius Urbicus was sent to 
Britain as governor. He subdued the revolted Brigantes, and con- 

A.D. 144. fined the northern tribes again within the line, where Agricola's forts 
had been, by a broad and deep ditch, and a rampart upon a foundation 
of stone, and faced with stone, defended by eighteen garrisons, at two 
miles' distance from each other, with watch towers between each. 
It was called Antoninus's wall. The Roman navy in Britain was now 
commanded by Seius Saturninus. 

A.D. 162. Marcus Aurelius sent Calphurnius Agricola, as governor, to Britain. 

He checked the insolence of the Caledonians, and strengthened the Ro- 
man power. In this reign, Lucius, a British king, is said to have em- 
braced the Christian religion. At the termination of the Marcomanic 
war/the Emperor sent eight thousand Scythians (Jazyges) into Britain f. 

In the reign of Commodus, there were great disturbances in the island. 
The Romans had neglected to keep up the discipline of their army; and 
a Roman general, with his troops, had been defeated, and cut to pieces. 
The Emperor was alarmed at this, and sent over Ulpius Marcellus %, 
a general of high reputation, who restored peace and discipline: for 
which he was rewarded with hatred and envy. 

* Life of Sabina, wife of Adrian, by De Serviez. 
f Rees's Cyc. " Sarmatia." 

% While this governor was in Britain, in order to keep himself vigilant by ab- 
stemiousness, he had his bread from Rome, and ate it stale, that he might not be 
induced to any excess by fresh bread. — Camden. 



PERTINAX IS DESPERATELY WOUNDED. 383 

On the recal of Marcellus, the rapacious and ambitious Perennis, CHAP. 

XIII. 

the Emperor's favourite, removed the veteran officers in Britain, to v«*~y-"W 
replace them with others of his own nomination. A deputation of 
fifteen hundred troops marched to Rome, demanded justice, and in- A.D. 186. 
formed the Emperor of the intrigues that were hatching against him. 
Commodus, who was already jealous of Perennis, delivered him up at 
once to the mutineers, who executed him instantly : his wife, his sis- 
ter, and his two children, shared his fate : his son, who commanded the 
troops in Illyria, was entrapped by a friendly letter from Commodus, 
to proceed to Rome ; but as soon as he set his foot in Italy, he also 
was despatched, still being ignorant of his father's fate *. 

Pertinax (afterwards Emperor) was deputed to Britain to restore 
order; but commencing with too much severity in military disci- 
pline, the ninth legion mutinied : and being desirous to have a new Em- 
peror, they offered that dignity to Pertinax, who, in one of these revolts, 
was wounded and left for dead among the slain : he however recovered, A.D. 189. 
and subdued all obstacles; but being accused of having contributed to 
the death of Arrius Antoninus, and not being beloved by the soldiers, 
he requested his recal. 

Clodius Albinus, a general of great reputation, was now selected 
by Commodus for the important command of Britain; and the Em- 
peror wrote him a letter, fearing the revolt of Severus and Nonius 
Murcus, to desire him, if he found the necessity, to assume the title 
and dignity of Caesar, with permission, should he do so, to make use of 
the requisite sums of money to distribute among the soldiers. But 
Albinus, fearing some tragical event might befal Commodus, and cause 
his own ruin, did not avail himself of this offer. 

On Pertinax succeeding to the empire, (A. D. 192), he confirmed 



Herodian. 



384 



CLODIUS ALBINUS PROCLAIMED EMPEROR. 



CHAP. Clodius Albinus governor of Britain: and he was continued in that 
XIII. 

v-^v-^* post the next year by the new Emperor, Didius Julianus. He gain- 
ed the affection of the soldiers to so great a degree, that, on the exe- 
cution of Didius, after Severus arrived in Italy *, they proclaimed him 
Emperor. He contested the throne with Septimius Severus, but was 

A.'D. 197. defeated near Lyons in a great battle, immediately after which Albinus 
destroyed himself. 



Severus divided Britain into two governments: the northern half 
was governed by Virius Lupusf: Dio relates that he purchased 
peace of the Caledonians. After a quiet period of several years, and 
great relaxation and negligence among the Roman troops, the Cale- 
donians began to be so troublesome, that Severus himself, though 
afflicted with the gout, and above sixty years old, resolved in person 
to conquer the northern part of the island. He set out for Britain 
(A. D. 208), at the head of a numerous army, and accompanied by 
the Empress Julia Domna with her sister Mesa, and his sons Cara- 
calla and Geta, both of whom had been raised to the rank of Augus- 
tus: and Rome, for the first time, had three Emperors J. The Cale- 
donians sent ambassadors to treat on honourable terms. Severus re- 
quired them to submit to his mercy; which they refused. The Em- 
peror then leaving Geta in the command at London, attended by his 
whole court, and his formidable army, marched to the north with his 
eldest son Caracalla. 

* When Didius had intelligence of the march of Severus, nothing was to be 
seen at Rome but soldiers, elephants, and horses, training for war. — Dion Cassius. 

f An altar dedicated to the goddess Fortune, inscribed to Virius Lupus, on the 
occasion of his repairing a bath for the Thracian cohorts in garrison with the 
Romans at Levatrise, (Bowes, Richmondshire), has been dug up at that place. 

% Gibbon, Ch. VI. Caracalla was elevated in the year 198; Geta at about the 
year of this expedition. Some writers date the arrival in Britain in 207. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE MEDALS. 



YORK, THE HEAD QUARTERS OF THE ROMAN 
EMPIRE* 

Eboracum was the capital of the northern division. Severus, with 
his large army, and his whole court, arrived at the capital. " It was 



* DESCRIPTION OF PLATE II. 

No (ROMANS WHO WERE IN BRITAIN.) 

13 Julius CcBsar. — Reverse, Augustus. (Found at Dunstable). 

14 Claudius. — A colonial medal. (Found at Littleborough, Nottinghamshire). 

15 Vespasian and Titus. — Haym. Del Tesoro Britannico, Vol. II. Plate V. (In 

the possession of the Duke of Devonshire). 

16 Hadrian. — (Found at Littleborough). 

17 Pertinax.— Haym. Vol. I. p. 258. (Sir Robert Abdy). 

18 Clodius Albinus. — Elected Emperor by the troops in Britain. (Found at 

Dunstable). 

19 Severus. — He died at York. (Found in Leicestershire). 

20 Caracalla.— Haym. Vol. II. Plate XV. (Duke of Devonshire). 

21 Geta. — (Found in Leicestershire). 

22 Julia Domna. — Reverse, Venus Lucina. Haym. Vol. II. Plate XIV. — Wife 

of Severus and mother of Caracalla and Geta. Supposed to have been 
coined in Lydia. (Duke of Devonshire). 

23 Julia Mesa. — Reverse, Jupiter and Juno, deities of the Amastrians, crowned 

with the signs of the Zodiac Sister of Julia Domna; grandmother of 

Heliogabalus and Alexander Severus. Haym. Vol. II. Plate XVIII. 
(Duke of Devonshire). 

24 Constanlius, (Chlorus). — He died at York. (Found in Rutlandshire). For 

the head of his empress, Helena, see Plate III. No. 39. 

25 Constantine, (The Great). — He was proclaimed at York. (Found at Ches- 

terton in Warwickshire). 

26 Constantine, (The Younger). — Reverse, PLON. coined at London He built 

a wall round London, or finished the one said to have been built by his 
father or Helena. (Found in Rutlandshire). 

27 Theodosius. — He served in Britain under his father, and with his future rival, 

Maximus. (Found at Dunstable). 

DDD 



385 



386 



GRANDEUR OF YORK.— A TRIUMPH. 



CHAP, at this period that York shone in full lustre. Britannici orbis Roma 
XIII. r 

-—v-"*^ Altera, Palatium Cur ice, et Prcetorium Ccesaris, are titles it might 
justly lay claim to. The prodigious concourse of tributary kings, 
foreign ambassadors and others, which crowded the courts of the 
sovereigns of the world, when the Roman empire was in its prime, 
must have produced the height of sublunary grandeur : and this, with- 
out mentioning the Emperor's own magnificence, his numerous re- 
tinue, the noblemen of Rome, or the officers of the army, which must 
all, necessarily, attend him. In these days, and before, no doubt, the 
temple of Bellona stood here. Whatever was done at Rome, we may 
presume was executed at York. The palace at York must have been 
very magnificent. (The one built by this Emperor was noble and ex- 
tensive). It was here that Severus triumphed for one of the greatest 
conquests (over the Parthians and Arabians), Rome ever gained, and 
which, with the building of the wall, Spartian expressly calls the 
greatest glories of his reign *." 

Severus, from his infirmities, and then having the gout, was carried 
all over the island in a litter f; he, with infinite toil, penetrated to 
the utmost bounds of the north, cutting down forests, and draining 
morasses, or filling them with bavins. All this while no enemy's 
soldiers appeared : they hung unseen on the rear and flanks of the 
Romans, and harassed them perpetually. 

This campaign, from the extreme severity of the labour, and ex- 

* Drake's York, p. 10 to 14. There had also been a triumph at Rome for the 
eastern victories, in the tenth year of Severus's reign, but he, having the gout, 
would not permit it in his own name, being too ill to be present at it; Caracalla 
therefore enjoyed the honor, for his success against the Jews ; and this triumph, at 
York, was to celebrate the conquests of Severus. He received from the senate the 
title of the conqueror of the Britons, while he was at York. See Spartian, and Ber- 
nard, Vol. I. p. 246; also Medal, Plate I. A. 12. 

f Dion Cassius, "Severus." 



CALEDONIA INVADED. — 50,000 MEN LOST. 387 

posure to cold in the mountains and bogs, is said to have cost the CHAP. 
Romans fifty thousand men *. The Caledonians, however, at length v^-v-L^ 
yielded. 

The Emperor, finding that he could not keep the country in sub- 
jection without a considerable army on the spot; resolved to depend 
on the project of Adrian, by confining the Caledonians within a more 
secure barrier. This great undertaking was superintended by Cara- 
calla. The position was a few paces north of Adrian's rampart; and 
the length, from the mouth of the Tyne to Boulness on the Solway 
Frith, sixty-eight English miles. To the north of the wall was a 
broad and deep ditch : the wall itself, on the brink of the ditch, was 
built of solid stone, strongly cemented with the best mortar. The 
height was twelve feet, besides the parapet ; and its breadth eight 
feet. 

There were eighteen stations fortified with deep ditches and strong 
walls, the great wall itself forming the north wall of each station. 
The smallest station contained a cohort, or six hundred men. With- 
out the walls of each station, was a town inhabited by labourers, both 
Romans and Britons, who chose to dwell there, under the protection 
of these fortresses. 

There were between the stations eighty-one castella, or castles, ex- 
act squares of sixty-six feet every way; fortified on each side with 
thick and lofty walls ; in which guards were constantly kept. The 
towers, or turrets, formed each a square of twelve feet standing out 
of the wall on its south side. 

The troops allotted to guard the wall, consisted of twelve cohorts 
of foot, one cohort of mariners in the station at Boulness, one detach- 

* Tt is very probable that great numbers of cattle, men, and other vestiges of 
this invasion are still in the marshes of Scotland: noiv perhaps dried up. 

DDD 2 



388 



MAGNIFICENT WALL. 



CHAP, ment of Moors *, probably equal to a cohort, and four alse, or wings, 
J4rv*-+J of horse, at the lowest computation, of four hundred each. In all, ten 
thousand. 

For the convenience of marching from one part of the wall to 
another, there were annexed to it two military ways, paved with 
square stones, in the most solid and beautiful manner; one larger and 
one smaller, from castle to castle, &c. to relieve guards and sentinels. 
(This wall proved an impenetrable barrier to the Roman territories 
for near two hundred years. In subsequent times, it was the common 
quarry, for more than a thousand years, for building all the towns and 
villages around f ). The restless Caledonians, on the retiring of the 
Roman legions, resuming hostilities, Severus was provoked to send 
another army into their country, under the command of Caracalla, 
with the most bloody orders: not to subdue, but to exterminate them; 
even to the child unborn. They were saved by the Emperor's death 
at York, A. D. 211, aged 66. His corpse was burnt with great pomp 
at a place without the walls of York J. 

* The Emperor Severus was an African, born at Leptis (Napoli di Barbaria, in 
the goverment of Tripoli). Bernard, Vol. T. p. 227. 

f See Henry, Hist. Eng. II. 477. Rees's Cyc. " Wall." " When Mr. Roger 
Gale and 1 rode the whole length ofSeverus's Wall, in August, 1725, near House- 
steeds, (Borcovius), fragments of pillars lay scattered over the whole place ; whence 
we conclude, here was a temple. By a large part of a capital that remained, we 
concluded that it was of the Doric order, suitable to a military station. In the 
meadow there was such a scene of Romano British Antiquities as we had never 
beheld; we might have loaded waggons with many most curious and beautiful 
large altars. There were scores of fine basso relievos nearly as big as the life, one 
of them an admirable image of victory; and three female figures sitting together, 
with globes in their hands. There was a wall, composed of dry Roman stones, 
and fragments of carved work, as a sorry fence to a pasture. Who can express 
the indignation we conceived at the miserable havoc of these most valuable monu- 
ments?" Stukeley, Medallic History of Carausius, Vol. II. p. 151. 

% This place is said still to bear the name of Sever's-hoe. At funerals, it was 



GAMES OF THE CIRCUS.— OMENS. 



389 



The signs forerunning the death of Severus, were these: He CHAP. 
& 8 XIII. 

dreamed that he was carried up to Heaven in a chariot drawn by four w»-v-*- 

eagles, and was called by Jupiter, and placed among the Antoninuses. 
One day, while the games of the circus were celebrating, as there were 
three figures of Victory, with palms in their hands, placed, according 
to custom, upon the platform where the Emperor's throne is ; that in 
the middle, bearing a globe, on which was inscribed the name of Seve- 
rus, was blown down upon the ground by a gust of wind *. The one 
with the name of Geta fell, and was broken to pieces: but that which 
was inscribed with the name of Bassianus (Caracalla) stood, but lost 
the palm branch by the wind. 

After he had finished his wall, and was returning to the next garri- 
son victorious, having hereby assured the peace of Britain for ever ; 
while he was meditating about what sort of omen he should meet with 
upon it, a black Moor, one of his soldiers, and a famous droll, presents 
himself before him, with a crown in his hand made of cypress. Seve- 
rus in anger commanded him immediately to retire out of his sight, 
being sensibly touched with the double ill omen of his colour, and the 
tree of which his crown was composed. In the mean time, said the 
man, " your Majesty hath been all things, and conquered all things, 
now be a God." 

Having afterwards returned to York, and going to discharge his de- 
votion, the Emperor was conducted, by a mistake of an augur, into a 
Temple of Bellona; and the beasts which were presented to him to 
sacrifice were black : but he, refusing to sacrifice in that colour, retir- 

customary to kill oxen, &c, and to throw them upon the pile. Severus struck 
money at York, and stiled himself Britannicus. He also issued a decree regard- 
ing slaves, and still in the Roman Code, dated Eboracum, the third of the nones of 
May, in the consulate of Faustinas and Rufus. (A. D. 209). 
* Spartian. See Bernard, Vol. I. p. 253. 



390 MONSTROUS CONDUCT OF CARACALLA. 

ed to the palace, and the same black victims being left neglected by 
the priests, went after him as far as to the gates of the palace*." 

Severus had been near four years in Britain f, where he got a prodi- 
gious mass of wealth J. The cruel temper of Caracalla, whose chief 
glory was in killing wild beasts, had clouded all the Emperor's latter 
years. The ambition of this monster had prompted him to endeavour 
openly to slay, or privately to poison his father. 

Caracalla had produced discontent among the troops, and one of his 
party had murmured that their victorious career was retarded by a gouty 
old man. The empress was suspected of being an accomplice in this 
conspiracy. Severus caused himself to be carried to the tribunal ; and, 
in the midst of the army, condemned some of Caracalla's party to 
death. The criminals, falling prostrate, implored the Emperor's mer- 
cy: for some time Severus was inflexible; but, at length, pardon- 
ing them, he placed his hand upon his head : " Now," said he, " are you 
satisfied that it is the head that rules, and not the feet ? " Caracalla, in- 
stead of being checked by this, became more furious. Severus and he 
being sometime afterwards on horseback, holding a conference with the 
Caledonians, in presence of both armies, Caracalla drew his sword 
with intention to plunge it through his father's back. Those who 
were near, suddenly shrieked, which caused the Emperor to turn his 
head, when he was shocked by the sight of the naked sword. The 
unhappy parent had sufficient command of himself not to say a single 
word. When he arrived at his tent, he threw himself upon his bed, 



* Spartian. Aug-ustan Hist. The person of Severus is described by Spar- 
tian as handsome and stout; he wore a long beard, and his hair curled naturally; 
he had an awful countenance, and a sweet voice, but with something of the African 
tone. He ate little, often quite abstained from flesh, and was partial to the peas, 
beans, and pulse of his native country. He sometimes drank pretty freely. 

t Henry, Vol. II. $ Dion Cassius, " Severus." 



THE EMPRESS JULIA DOMNA. 391 
and sent for Caracalla. In the presence of Papinius, the captain of CHAP. 

Xlll. 

the guards, and Castor, a freed man, the Emperor reproached his son <^^>^ 
with great coolness. " If you want to kill me," said he, " take this 
sword and execute your desire here, and not in the presence of two 
armies : or if shame withholds your hand, request Papinius to rid you 
of me." 

The Roman empire was now in the hands of Caracalla and Geta, 
with equal power : and the senate acknowledged them both, as lawful 
and independent Emperors, They left Britain and the Caledonians 
in peace. On their arrival at Rome, a negotiation was attempted to 
divide the Empire into East and West : but it could not be brought 
about. On the 27th of February, A. D. 21*2, Caracalla, assisted by 
other assassins, murdered his brother Geta, while his mother, the Em- 
press Julia Domna, was endeavouring to protect him in her arms : she a. D. 192. 
herself being wounded in the hand, and covered with the blood of the 
unfortunate Geta. 

Julia, the wife of Severus, was one of the most accomplished, beauti- 
ful, dissolute, and unfortunate of the Roman empresses. Julia Mesa, 
her sister, was a lady of great merit, and virtuous beyond the reach of 
malice ; she was prudent and politic ; it was principally by her man- 
agement that her grandsons, Heliogabalus, and Alexander Severus, 
were elevated to the throne of the Empire. These sisters were born 
at Emessa in Phoenicia, and were daughters of Bassius, Priest of the 
Sun. Julia Domna was about twenty years of age when she married 
Severus; and when he became Emperor the two sisters generally ac- 
companied him in his expeditions, Julia Mesa having become a wi- 
dow. They were both in Britain during the whole time of the resi- 
dence of the three Emperors. 

J ulia Domna is described as extremely beautiful , and as having a 
just way of thinking, a peculiar grace in her speech, and an elegant 



392 REPARTEE OF A CALEDONIAN LADY. 

CHAP, manner of writing : she had studied geometry, and other sciences, be- 
v^e-vy—w sides the vain art of judicial astrology; and was the patroness of every 
art, and the friend of every man of genius. She was prodigiously 
fond of sports and shows, where she always appeared full of life and 
high spirits, and where her beauty, which remained to an advanced 
age, could not fail to procure her a crowd of admirers. Such was her 
ascendency over Severus, notwithstanding her notoriously flagitious 
conduct, that she could calm him in the midst of his fury, and manage 
him as she thought proper. 

Julia accompanied Severus on his expedition in Caledonia, and re- 
ceived from the inhabitants, with whom she had any intercourse, all 
the honours it was in their power to pay to her exalted rank. Not 
finding the politeness of the Roman ladies in the manners of the na- 
tives of Caledonia, the Empress frequently rallied them with much vi- 
vacity, and in a very provoking stile; no one daring to offend the 
dignity of the Empress by a repartee. It happened, however, that a 
Caledonian of distinction, named Argentocox, had a wife* who was 
very witty and spirited on such occasions. One day, when she went 
to pay her respects to the Empress, the conversation taking a turn on 
the customs and manners of the country, Julia was rather satirical 
on the galantries of the Caledonian ladies, the little fidelity they had to 
their husbands, and the publicity of their intrigues : on which the 
other replied with great resolution, " It is true, that we Caledonians 
do not manage so cunningly as the Roman ladies, we have not their 
policy to impose on our husbands by intrigues carried on under an 
appearance of modesty, with the most abject persons; we have the 
sincerity without disguise to enjoy the society of the bravest men in 



* The wife's name (Dion, Vol. II. p. 307,) was Argetoxa. 



MISERABLE DEATH OF THE EMPRESS JULIA. 



393 



the world." The empress, at this reply, felt much confused, and never CHAP. 

XIII. 

renewed the subject. v^-v-w 
After the death of Severus, his body was burnt, with the usual cere- A.D. 211. 
monies, and the ashes were deposited in a costly urn, which J ulia had 
carried with her to Rome. 

When Caracalla was assassinated in Mesopotamia, Julia, her nieces 
Soemia and Mamea, and their mother Mesa, were all at Antioch. On 
the news reaching the unfortunate empress, she gave herself up to 
grief, inflicted blows on herself, although she was suffering from a 
cancer, which she much inflamed; and refused all nourishment. A 
letter from Macrinus, now Emperor, full of expressions of respect and 
esteem, and continuing all the prerogatives and honours she had ever 
enjoyed, mitigated her afflictions and sorrows. But Macrinus, dread- 
ing her influence and abilities, changed his conduct, and commanded 
her to quit Antioch. J ulia, finding no remedy for her misfortunes, 
and tortured by her cruel disease, abstained from food, and died in 
the year 217, at the age of about sixty-three, after having enjoyed 
the highest dignities attainable, and being afflicted with the most 
dreadful mental and bodily anguish that a human being can sup- 
port *. 

Britain, enjoying uninterrupted tranquillity, is scarcely noticed by 
any historian for about seventy-Jive years. 

A governor who had been sent to Britain by the Emperor Probus 
assumed the Imperial purple, but was shortly afterwards put to death 
by Victorinus, a Moor, one of Probus's ministers, by whom the gover- 



* Life of Julia Domna, by De Serviez. Augustan History, " Severus." Gib- 
bon, Ch. VI. Spartian reports, that Julia married her son Caracalla, which other 
authors deny ; nor is it in the least probable: she was fifty-seven years of age, 
when Severus died. He also asserts that Caracalla was her step-son. 



E E E 



q t 8ntaiaoA 



394 BONOSUS, A BRITON, ASSUMES THE PURPLE. 

C vT^r P ' nor nac * Deen promoted*. Bonosus, another of the revolters against Pro- 
A. 111. 

^*~*~y~^ bus, was a Briton by birth. His father was a Spaniard, and either a 
professor of rhetoric or a grammarian, and died while Bonosus was 
young: his mother was a Gaulese, and a woman of wit. Bonosus ser- 
ved first in the infantry, then in the cavalry ; and when he became 
a general, he had charge of the frontier of Rhsetia. No man ever 
drank like him. The Emperor Aurelian esteemed him for his mili- 
tary talents, and, as he could drink like a sieve, he appointed him to 
entertain the ambassadors from all nations, that he might discover 
their secrets; he himself remaining perfectly undisturbed by any 
quantity of wine. 

A. D. 282. The Germans having burnt the Roman shipping on the Rhine, and 
Bonosus fearing that he should be punished for his neglect, boldly 
claimed Britain, Gaul, and Spain, and assumed the purple. He en- 
gaged Probus in a severe battle, but being overpowered, he hanged 
himself. On which occasion, it was said of him, "here hangs a tan- 
hard, not a man." Probus gave his wife a pension, and forgave his 
two sons. His wife's name was Hunila, of the royal blood of the 
Goths. She was a woman of singular merit, and had been selected by 
Aurelian, in order that through her means Bonosus might become 
well acquainted with the affairs of the Goths. Aurelian commanded 
that the marriage should be at the public charge, and that Hunila 
should be presented with silk gowns of a violet colour, and one of silk 
embroidered with gold, one hundred golden Philips, a thousand Anto- 
nines in silver, ten thousand sesterces in brass, and all such things as 
were proper for a lady of quality f . 

Probus was the first Emperor who permitted the Britons to plant 
vines, as well as the Gauls and Spaniards. He sent over to Britain 
many Vandals and Burgundians to settle in the island. 

* Zosimus, p. 32. f Flavius Vopiscus. Aug. Hist. 



[ 



Medals for Victories in Iritaw, 

/See Description.) 



Plate 3 . 




EmPEROIS of JBHITAIN- 






FuHi/hcd .April. It, JdZS. 



REVOLT IN BRITAIN. 395 

While the Emperor Carus was in Persia, he left Britain and other CHAP. 

XIII. 

provinces under the goverment of his son Carinus*. v^-v-^ 



CARAUSIUS, EMPEROR OF BRITAIN. 

In the beginning of the reign of Dioclesian, and his associate Maxi- 
mian with the title of Augustus, and Galerius and Constantius Chlorus 
with the inferior titles of Caesar, Carausius a Menapian, of mean origin, 
commanded the Roman fleet stationed at Boulogne. He had secured 
to himself immense spoil, taken from the French and German pirates. 
His great wealth being evidence of his guilt, Maximian gave orders 
that he should be put to death. Carausius's riches had enabled him 
to attach the fleet to his fortunes; and foreseeing the severity of the 
Emperor, he sailed over to Britain, persuaded the Roman legions and 
auxiliaries, who guarded that island, to embrace his party ; built many 
more ships, and boldly assumed the Imperial purple with the title of 
Augustusf. (A. D. 287). 

* Augustan History, " Carinus." No Roman lavished so much art and expence 
on the hunting of wild beasts as Carinus. Gibbon, Ch. XII. 



t DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 3. 

No (MEDALS FOR TRIUMPHS IN BRITAIN.) 

28 Claudius. — A triumphal arch at Colchester. (Found at Littleborough). 

29 Uncertain. — This is probably a head of Claudius, to whom, as well as to his son, 

the senate had decreed the surname Britannicus. Adminius or Etiminius 
was son of Cunobeline king of Britain. His father gave him part of his 
kingdom. Coins have been found at Colchester, with this inscription, 
MTjrpw7roXic 'Etijuiv/s BaaiXewg. He was expelled, and fled to Caligula. 
Ainsworth. " Etiminius." (This medal was found at Littleborough). 
It is highly probable that Claudius espoused his cause. 

EEE 2 



396 



COINS OF BRITISH EMPERORS. 



CHAP. The Romans deplored the loss of an island so valuable for its rich 
XIII. 

^IJ^j mines, temperate climate, corn, abundant pastures, wealth, and con- 
venient harbours. Carausius supported his rebellion with ability. 
The British Emperor invited from the continent skilful artists in great 



30 Antoninus Phis. — (Found at Littleborough). 

31 The same. — (Found in Leicestershire). The two, by the dates, are for different 

occasions. 

32 Commodus. — (Found at Littleborough). 



33 Carausius (Silver). — Reverse, Temple at Granta, R. S. R.Reipublicse Securitas 

Restituta. Hay in. Vol. IT. Plate XXVII. Carausius was assassinated in 
the Temple of Bellona at York. (In the possession of the Duke of Devon- 
shire). In this Emperor's reign there were struck in Britain about three 
hundred different coins and medals. 

34 The same. (Silver). — Reverse, a lion. LEG 1111. The fourth leg-ion was ap- 

pointed to go to Syria, but joined the rebel. Carausius brought lions with 
him from Africa. M. S. R. Moneta Signata Rigoduni. Coined at Rible- 
chester, or Richmond, Yorkshire. Haym. Vol. II. Plate XXVII. (Mr. 
Bardon). 

35 The same. — Reverse, a ram. LEG VIII. The eighth legion joined Carausius. 

M. L. Moneta Londinensis. Haym. Vol. I. p. 289. (Lord Winchelsea). 

36 Sylvius. — The head, is his father Carausius, with whom he was co-emperor, 

See Haym. Vol. I, p. 287, who conjectures that this reverse represents a 
son or nephew, not being acquainted with the fact of Carausius having a son. 
(Lord Winchelsea). 

37 Allectus. (Silver). — (Found in London). Very rare. Haym. Vol. II. Plate 

XXVII. (Duke of Devonshire.) 

38 The same.— Q. L. Quinti Libertus vel Liberta. Ainsworth. This would 

not accord with Allectus, if the history be correct, which assigns him two 
or three years only. (Found at Chesterton). 

39 Helena. — 1 at first imagined this to be a coin of the wife of the British Em- 

peror, Maximus; but Camden says it is of Helena, Empress of Constantius 
Chlorus, and mother of Constantine the Great: she is by some said to have 
been a Briton: as the other Helena certainly was, that circumstance may 
have given rise to the error. (Found at Chesterton). 
It is to be observed, that, on some of the medals, the words are not rightly spelt. 
As they are copied from engravings, it is possibly the fault of the first 
publisher: even the Romans are not corrector uniform in this respect. 



EMPERORS OF BRITAIN. 



POWERFUL FLEET.— SENATE IN BRITAIN. 397 

numbers: he displayed his taste and his opulence in a great variety of CHAP, 
elegant coins, still extant. Born in Brabant, he courted the Franks < 
imitated their dress and manners, and enlisted their bravest youths in 
his army and navy. Carausius kept possession of Boulogne and the 
adjacent country. His fleets commanded the mouths of the Seine and 
the Rhine, and ravaged the coasts of the ocean. The Romans had pre- 
pared a new armament, which was commanded by Maximian*; but 
the superior power and skill of Carausius, in a sea-fight off the Isle of 
Wight, baffled it; and Dioclesian and his colleague reluctantly re- 
signed to Carausius the sovereignty of Britain. 

The British Emperor returned by way of Sorbiodunum, (Old Sarum), 
to London, which he entered in an ovation, or lesser triumph, and, on 
the 25th of December, celebrated the horse-races to Mithras. He 
declared his son Sylvius Princeps Juventutis, and President of the Tro- 
jan games ; and the next year, (290), named him Caesar. He proceed- 
ed to York and Catterick, subdued the Scots and Picts, repaired the 
Praetentura of Antoninus in Scotland, and built seven castles there. 
He also built a triumphal arch, and a circular house of stone, on the 
banks of the Carron. 

In the year 291, Carausius constituted a senate in Britain ; and, on 
the 27th May, he celebrated the LII. Capitoline Agonf. 

The Ceangi were defeated in a battle near Bath: Carausius was ac- 
companied by his Empress Orivna, and his son Sylvius, who was soon 
afterwards created Augustus, and partner in the empire. 

In the year 292, the city of Granta, on the north side of Cambridge, 
was built, and in it a Temple " Romae TEternae." Many Roman roads 

* Maximian had had some success in Britain, for which he had a triumph. 

Bernard, Vol. II. p. 346. 

t This feast was for poets, orators, historians, comedians, musicians, athletse, &c. 
— See Rees's Cyc. "Capitoline." 



398 



SECULAR GAMES.— TEMPLE AT GRANTA.— FLORAL GAMES. 



CHAP, were made, leading from the city. On the 7th of September, the Em- 
peror celebrated the Quinquennalia*, (the origin of Sturbech 
or Sturbridge fair). In October, the temple at Granta was de- 
dicated, and many coins on that occasion were struck. (In this Em- 
peror's reign, there were struck in Britain about three hundred dif- 
ferent medals and coins.) In this month there were fairs at York and 
Boroughbridge ; at the latter, the corn boats arrived by the rivers and 
artificial canals. 

Carausius sailed, with a powerful fleet, into the Mediterranean, to 
excite the Africans in his favor, and gained the advantage, while at sea, 
over the fleet commanded by Constantine Chlorus ; he returned on 
the 19th of October, celebrated the Secular games f; and having 
brought lions with him from Africa, he exhibited them among his 
other magnificent shows. On May-day, 295, the Emperor celebrated 
the Floral games in the temple of Rome at Granta %. Afterwards, 
the LIIJ. Capitoline Agon were celebrated in the Temple of Bellona, 
at York §. 



Constantius was preparing a large fleet, and assumed the conduct of 
the war. He raised a stupendous mole across the entrance of the 
harbour and town of Boulogne ; and a considerable number of ves- 

* In honour of the deified Emperors. 

f These games continued three days and three nights: die people sacrificed to 
Jupiter, Juno, Diana, Ceres, &c. They marked out a place which served for a 
theatre, which was illuminated with an immense number of fires and flambeaus. 
Hymns were sung- to Jupiter in Greek and Latin. Theatrical shows were exhi- 
bited, with combats and sports in the circus. — Kennet's Roman Antiquities, 
p. 299. Rees's Cyc. " Secular Games." 

% At the celebratiou of the games in honour of the Goddess Flora, Galba enter- 
tained the people with a new sight of elephants walking upon ropes. — Suetonius, 
Ch. "VI. It is said that Carinus also exhibited elephants dancing on ropes on 
these occasions See Rees's Cyc. " Florales Ludi." 

§ Stukely. History of Carausius, Vol. II. p. 170. 



MURDER OF CARAUSIUS.— DEATH OF ALLECTUS. 



399 



sels surrendered: he also detached the Franks from the interests of CHAP. 
Carausiu, J"^ 



The British Emperor was murdered, in the temple of Bellona, at 
York, by his first minister, Allectus, in whom he had placed the most 
implicit confidence*. The assassin usurped the power of his master, 
but was of very inferior abilities. 

When Constantius had fully prepared the very large army and 
fleet which he had collected upon the opposite coast, he divided his 
force : it was so considerable, that he had required three years to per- 
fect it. The principal squadron, under the command of the prsefect 
Asclepiodotus, captain of the praetorian guards, ventured to sail, on a 
stormy day, and with a side wind, from the mouth of the Seine. The 
fleet of Allectus was stationed off the Isle of Wight, to receive the 
enemy: but, under cover of a thick fog, Asclepiodotus succeeded in 
landing the imperial troops on the western coast, and immediately 
reduced his fleet to ashes. 

Allectus had posted himself near London, to await the attack of 
Constantius; but, on receiving this unwelcome intelligence, after a pre- 
cipitate and long march, he encountered the praefeet's whole force, with 
a small body of fatigued and disheartened troops; many of whom were 
foreign hirelings, chiefly Franks. Throwing off his purple robe, that 
it might not betray him, Allectus rushed desperately into the battle, 
and was quickly slain, with small loss to the Romans, but great 
slaughter among the soldiers of the usurper. 

The body of Allectus was found in the field of battle, almost naked. 
Those Franks who had survived, fled to London, in order to pillage 
that city, and then make their escape by sea; but a part of the Ro- 
man army, which had been divided from the rest by a mist at sea, ar- 



* Aurelius Victor. 



ARRIVAL OF CONSTANTIUS AND CONSTANTINE. 

riving opportunely, pursued the Franks through the streets, and killed 
a great number of them *. 

When Constantius landed upon the shores of Kent, he found them 
covered with obedient subjects, who rejoiced to be restored to the Ro- 
man empire, after a separation of ten years. Asclepiodotus is said to 
have usurped the purple, and to have been killed in a battle, leaving 
Constantius master of Britain. " O, invincible Caesar!" exclaims the 
historian, " Britain, and the glory of the naval power of Rome, are re- 
stored." (A. D. 297 f). 

THE ROMAN POWER RESTORED. 

A.D. 297. Constantius administered the affairs of his department, Gaul, 
Spain, and Britain, with moderation, clemency, and ability; winning 
the hearts of his subjects in those three provinces J. Dioclesian and 
Maximian, having both resigned the purple on the same day, (May 1,) 
Constantius and Galerius assumed the title of Augustus, (A.D. 304). 
Some commotions in Britain required the presence of the Emperor; 
and he crossed the sea, accompanied by his son Constantine, then 
thirty years of age, and proceeded to York. An easy victory over the 
Caledonians was the last exploit of this Emperor, who ended his life at 
York, the 25th of July, 306. Constantius died in the imperial palace; 
where, on his royal bed, he took leave of his children. The funeral rites 
of the deceased monarch were performed with the utmost magnificence. 

* See Augustan History, Vol.11, p. 343; Stow, Vol. I. p. 6; Milton, 8vo. p. 105. 

f See Henry, Hist. Eng. Vol. II. p. 277; Dr. Stukeley; Gibbon, Ch. XIII. 
Bernard, Vol. II. p. 346; and Rapin. There is much contrariety in the dates dur- 
ing this defection. JBy the Chronology of the Augustan History, Carausius re- 
volted in 286, and was killed in 292; and Britain was regained by Constantius 
in 295. 

$ Constantius generally resided in Britain. — Zosimus, p. 40. 



400 



CONSTANTINE THE GREAT.— GRANDEUR OF CAERLEON. 



401 



An infinite number of people, assisting with dances, songs, and loud CHAP, 
acclamations, congratulated his ascension to the Gods. 

The flower of the western armies had followed Constantius into Bri- 
tain ; and the national troops were reinforced by a numerous body of 
Allemanni. Constantine was, by the legions, saluted Augustus and 
Emperor. While he remained at York, the British soldiers, in Ro- 
man pay, presented the new Emperor with a golden ball, as an em- 
blem of his sovereignty over Britain. On his conversion to Christian- 
ity, Constantine placed a cross upon it : and it has become the sign 
of majesty*. After four years' absence, this monarch revisited A. D. 311. 
Britain f . 

During the reign of Constantine the Great, Britain enjoyed pro- 
found tranquillity; it was subject to the prsefect of Gaul, and was go- 
verned by a deputy under him. Isca (Caerleon) was now, by a new ar- 
rangement of Britain, made a third capital, and became a great and im- 
portant city ; splendid palaces with gilded roofs, a temple, a theatre, 
an amphitheatre, and other stately edifices, made it emulate the gran- 
deur of Rome J. 

In the latter period of the Emperor's reign, his son Constantine was 
governor of Gaul, Spain, and Britain. He built a wall round London. 
(See Medal, No. 26 §). 

* Drake's " York," pp. 43, 45. Gibbon, Ch. XIV. 

f Constantine raised an army among- the Germans and Celts, which, with the 
forces he drew from Britain, amounted to ninety thousand foot, and eight thousand 
horse. 

J Rees's Cyc. " Caerleon." 

§ Camden says, that he erected some structures at London. Gough, in a note, 
says, that the coin is generally referred to the Castra Praetoria at Rome; but this 
appears very improbable. After t he massacre in the reign of Nero, a wall of stone 
and brick had been built round London, which, in above two centuries, probably 
required improving. There was not an efficient wall to keep the Franks from en- 
tering and pillaging London when Allectus was defeated, if they entered not by 
F FF 



402 THE GOVERNOR OF BRITAIN KILLS HIMSELF. 

Constantine the Great died in the year 337, leaving three sons, Con- 
stantine, Constans, and Constantius. The first was killed in a battle 
against the second, in 340, when the western division was in the govern- 
ment of Constans, who, accompanied by Constantius, visited Britain, 
and landed at Sandwich*. Constans was murdered in his bed by 
Magnensius, governor of Rhaetia, at Autun, in Gaul; and, at his death, 
the whole empire was possessed by Constantius. He sent to Britain 
one Paulus, a notary, who committed numerous extortions. Marti- 
nus, the governor, remonstrated against such unjust proceedings. 
Paulus replied, that his opposing the execution of the Emperor's or- 
ders, could proceed only from a spirit of rebellion : he even accused 
Martinus of having been concerned in the revolt of Magnentius. The 
indignant and enraged governor struck at Paulus with his sword, but, 
missing his blow, he plunged it into his own breast. The merciless 
Paulus now condemned to death, banishment, or imprisonment, all 
who resisted his will, without ever being restrained by the Emperor. 
A. D. 360. He was afterwards burnt alive. 

The Western Empire, Britain included, was now under Julian, (the 
apostate) : he sent a body of troops under the command of Lupicilius 
A.D. 362. to oppose the ravages of the Scots and Picts. On his arrival in Lon- 
don he was recalled; the enemy having submitted. 

In the reign of Valentinian the First, the Attacotti, (a tribe of Cale- 
donians, accused of delighting in the taste of human flesh*), the Picts, 

stratagem. Stow says, (p. 7), that the Empress Helena built the wall, A. D. 306. 
There is every probability that it was finished by Constantine, junior. 
* See Milton, 8vo. p. 107. 

t " The Attacotti, the enemies, and afterwards the soldiers of Valentinian, are 
accused by Jerom, an eye-witness, (whose veracity I find no reason to question), 
of delighting in the taste of human flesh. When they hunted the woods for prey, 
it is said, that they attacked the shepherd rather than his flock; and that they 
curiously selected the most delicate and brawny parts, both of males and females, 



THEODOSIUS ARRIVES IN BRITAIN. 403 

Scots, Franks, and Saxons, all, either by accident or common league, in- CHAP. 

XIII 

vaded the Roman province by sea and land at once, and made great ^~ v -^» 
ravages. Every production of art and nature, every object of con- 
venience or luxury, was accumulated in the rich and fruitful province 
of Britain. Severus and Jovinus successively endeavoured in vain to 
stop the fury of these inroads. At length, Valentinian sent Theodo- 
sius to command in Britain. The two military commanders of the 
province had been surprised and cut off by the barbarians : and every 
messenger that escaped to the continent, conveyed the most alarming 
tidings. A person named Valentinian had been banished to Britain, 
and endeavoured to render himself absolute about this period, but was 
soon deprived of his hopes and his life % 

The nomination of so great a general as Theodosius, (the father of a 
line of Emperors), was deemed by the army and the province, a sure 
presage of approaching victory : the new governor landed at Sandwich, A.D. 367. 



which they prepared for their horrid repasts. If in the neighbourhood of the com- 
mercial and literary town of Glasgow, a race of cannibals has really existed, we 
may contemplate, in the period of the Scottish history, the extremes of savage and 
civilized life. Such reflections tend to enlarge the circle of our ideas; and to en- 
courage the pleasing hope, that New Zealand may produce, in some future age, 
the Hume of the Southern hemisphere. The bands of Attacotti which Jerom had 
seen in Gaul, were afterwards stationed in Italy and Illyricum." Gibbon, Ch. 

XXV Ammianus Marcellinus mentions the Attacotti, but does not say any 

thing about their being cannibals. Could such a remarkable fact have existed 
and not have been noticed by Tacitus, or any other Roman historian? Agricola's 
line of forts, and the ramparts of Antoninus, were in the neighbourhood of Glas- 
gow; and Roman garrisons, of numbers of troops, were stationed there: that 
neighbourhood was, consequently, well known, and it is quite incredible that 
such a horrid custom could have escaped especial and notorious remark. This 
charge against the Attacotti had scarcely been worth notice, were it not sanctioned 
by such authority as Gibbon: but as it stands solely on the assertion of a bigoted 
passionate controversialist, it is not worthy of belief. 
* Zosimus, p. 100. 

F F F 2 



404 



LONDON IS NAMED AUGUSTA. 



CHAP, and marched to London, (A.D. 367), with his numerous and veteran 
XIII. 

^r-^^u bands : the citizens threw open their gates. 

The desultory warfare of the barbarians who infested the land and 
sea, deprived Theodosius of a signal victory : but his consummate art 
and prudence, displayed in two campaigns, rescued the province from 
the cruel and rapacious enemy. Theodosius entered London in 
triumph. The splendour of London and of the other cities, and the 
security of the fortifications, were restored. 

The Caledonians were confined to their northern region, above the 
Frith of Forth ; and the territory south of that, down to the Tyne, 
was named Valentia, to perpetuate the glories of the reign of Valen- 
tinian : and to the city of London was given the name of Augusta. 

Theodosius returned to the continent with the highest reputation 
for prudence, justice, vigour, and clemency; and his great merit was 
rewarded by the Emperor with applause and without envy. 

Britain was now divided into five provinces, and a governor was 
appointed to each of them. 

In the reign of Gratian and Valentinian II. on the Picts and Scots 
beginning to threaten hostility, Maximus, a Spaniard of distinction, 
was invested with the command in Britain *. He designed to subject 
the whole island to the dominion of the Romans ; but finding the 
union of the Scots and Picts a great obstacle to the execution of his 
project, he feigned to be exasperated against the Scots, as the sole 
cause of the troubles in Britain; and persuaded the Picts to join their 
forces to his, on the promise of giving them the lands of the Scots. 
His artifice succeeded. The Scots being thus overpowered, were 
forced to fly to Ireland and the adjacent isles. Maximus permitted 



* Gibbon does not allow that Maximus was either governor, or a general. 
SeeRapin, and Gibbon, Ch. XXVII. and Milton, 8vo, p. 111. 



REVOLT OF MAXIMUS.— HELENA. 



405 



the Picts to take possession of the new conquests ; when affairs of ^^P. 

Xsi-.ii. 

higher importance to himself diverted his attention. ^ * *<y? m t 

The two Emperors associated as a third, Theodosius, the son of the 
general who had commanded with such distinguished renown in 
Britain. Maximus, highly jealous and affronted at not having been 
preferred to Theodosius, resolved to assume the imperial dignity. To 
forward his project, he intended to gain the friendship and confidence 
of the Picts ; and, leaving the island in peace, to wage war against 
the three Emperors. In the mean time, the Scots, assisted by the Irish, 
invaded the north, and Maximus was obliged to head his troops against 
them. They were defeated and driven back to Ireland : and on Maxi- 
mus threatening to invade that country, and punish the Irish, the fear 
they had of the presence of a Roman army, induced them to grant 
Maximus his own terms, which, in order to conciliate all parties, were 
moderate. 

Maximus had long resided in Britain, and is said to have married 
Helena, daughter of Eudda, a wealthy nobleman of Caersegont, (Caer- 
narvon)*. He was a person of acknowledged abilities and integrity; 
born in Spain, the countryman, fellow-soldier in Britain, and rival of 
Theodosius. 



The legions in Britain had long been famous for a spirit of presump- 
tion and arrogance. Both the soldiers and provincials proclaimed 
Maximus Emperor. (A.D. 382). 

Gratian, Emperor of the West had* degraded himself in the eyes of 



MAXIMUS, EMPEROR OF BRITAIN. 



* See Pennant's Tour in Wales, Vol. II. Carte's Hist, of Eng. Vol. I. 



406 SCYTHIAN HUNTERS AT PARIS.— EMIGRATION FROM BRITAIN. 

CHAP, the Romans by neglecting the duties of a sovereign and a general, 
v-^-v-w' The skill which he had attained in the management of a horse, and 
A.D. 382. the dexterity with which he could dart a javelin and draw a bow, had 
inspired him with an ardent passion for the chace. Large parks were 
enclosed for the imperial pleasures, and plentifully stocked with every 
species of ivild beasts. A body of the Alana was received into the 
domestic and military service of the palace, and the admirable skill 
which they had been accustomed to display in the unbounded plains 
of Scythia, was exercised in the parks and enclosures of Gaul. 

Gratian, in admiration of the talents and customs of these favorite 
guards, assumed the fur dress, the bow, and the quiver, of a Scythian 
warrior. Even the Germans affected to disdain the strange appear- 
ance of these savages of the north, who had wandered from the re- 
gions of the Volga to the banks of the Seine *. The unworthy specta- 
cle of a Roman prince, who had renounced the dress of his country, 
filled the legions with grief and indignation. 

Maximus could not hope to reign by confining his ambition to Bri- 
tain. The youth of the island crowded to his standard ; and he in- 
vaded Gaul with a fleet and army, which were long afterwards remem- 
bered as a considerable part of the British nation f . 

The Emperor was, in his peaceful residence of Paris, idly wasting 
his darts on lions and bears. The armies of Gaul received Maximus 

* Gibbon's Roman Empire, Ch. XXVIT. Zosimus, B. IV. 

f According to Archbishop Usher, the whole emigration consisted of thirty 
thousand soldiers, and one hundred thousand plebeians, who settled in Bretagne. 
Their destined brides, St. Ursula, with eleven thousand noble, and sixty thousand 
plebeian virgins, mistook their way, and arrived at Cologne, where they were mur- 
dered by the Huns. —Gibbon, Ch. XXVII. Lady M. W. Montague writes to La- 
dy Rich from Cologne, August 16th, 1716: " I was very well satisfied to see, 
piled up to the honour of our nation, the skulls of eleven thousand virgins." — 
Ed. 1803, Vol. II. p. 13. 



ASSASSINATION OF GRATIAN. 



407 



with ioyal and joyful acclamations. The Mauritanian cavalry were CHAP, 
the first who saluted him Augustus: and the troops of the palace v^-v-^, 
abandoned the standard of Gratian, the first time it was displayed, in ^.D. 38< 
the neighbourhood of Paris. 

The Emperor of the West fled, with three hundred horse, towards 
Lyons. All the cities upon the road shut their gates against him ; but 
he might have reached the dominions of his brother Valentinian, had 
he not been deceived by the perfidious governor of the Lyonese pro- 
vince, who amused him with protestations of doubtful fidelity, till the 
arrival of Andragathius, general of the cavalry of Maximus, who exe- 
cuted, without remorse, the intentions of the British usurper. Gra- 
tian, as he rose from supper, was delivered into the hands of the assas- 
sin, (August 25th, 383). His death was followed by that of his power- 
ful general, Mellobaudes, the king of the Franks. After these execu- 
tions, the power of Maximus was acknowledged by all the provinces 
of the west. 

The British Emperor sent his principal chamberlain to the East- 
ern Emperor ; and the choice of a venerable old man, for an office which 
was usually exercised by eunuchs, announced to the court of Con- 
stantinople, the gravity and temperance of the British usurper. The 
ambassador condescended to justify or excuse the conduct of his mas- 
ter, and protested, in specious language, that the murder of Gratian 
had been perpetrated without his consent, by the precipitate zeal of 
the soldiers. The speech of the ambassador concluded with a spirited 
declaration, that though Maximus, as a Roman, and as a father of his 
people, would chuse rather to employ his forces in the common de- 
fence of the republic; he was prepared, if his friendship should be re- 
jected, to dispute, in a field of battle, the Empire of the World. An 
immediate and peremptory answer was required. 

The imperious voice of honour and gratitude called aloud for re- 



408 



THEODOSIUS. — THE EMPRESS JUSTINA. 



CHAP, venge; but the most weighty considerations engaged Theodosius to 
v^-v**^ dissemble his resentment; and he accepted the alliance of Maximus. 

He stipulated that Valentinian, the brother of Gratian, should be con- 
firmed in the sovereignty of Italy, Africa, and western Illyricum ; and 
that Maximus should content himself with the countries beyond the 
Alps. 

A.D. 387. The aspiring Maximus, who might have reigned in peace over the 
empire of Britain, Gaul, and Spain ; having employed the wealth which 
he had extorted from those three provinces in raising and maintain- 
ing a formidable army, collected from the fiercest nations of Germany, 
passed the Alps, invaded Italy, and seized Milan. Valentinian and 
his mother, the Empress Justina, a lady of extraordinary beauty, 
with her daughter, Galla, embarked with precipitation on board a 
vessel, and reached a port in Thessalonica. 

Theodosius equipped a powerful fleet in the harbours of Greece and 
Epirus ; while he himself marched at the head of a brave and disci- 
plined army, to encounter his unworthy rival; who, after the siege of 
JEmona, had fixed his camp near Siscia, a city of Pannonia, strongly 
fortified by the broad and rapid stream of the Save *. 

Theodosius possessed the advantage of a numerous cavalry. The 
Huns, the Alani, and the Goths, were formed into squadrons of 

* Zosimus, who M as bigoted to the ancient Pagan religion, and hated Theodo- 
sius, who was a Christian, wishes to make it appear that he would have divided 
the empire with Maximus; but that Justina, to urge Theodosius to revenge the 
death of her son Gratian, introduced into his presence her daughter Galla, who was 
remarkably beautiful, and was in tears for the loss of her brother. Justina soon 
perceived the effect of Galla's beauty on the Emperor, who gave them favorable 
hopes. In a few days, Theodosius requested Justina to grant him her daughter, 
(his wife Platilla was dead), but she refused, unless he would make war on Maxi- 
mus. Being thus excited by his passion for Galla, he not only conciliated the 
soldiers by augmenting their pay, but he was thus roused from his negligence in 
other affairs that would require attention after his departure. — Zosimus, p. 121. 



THE BRITISH EMPEROR IS BEHEADED. 409 

archers ; who fought on horseback, and confounded the steady valour of VH^?' 
the Germans and Gauls, by the rapid motions of a Tartar war. They v^-^-^ 
spurred their foaming horses into the Save, swam across in face of the A.D. 388. 
enemy upon the opposite bank, charged and routed them. Marcelli- 
nus, the brother of Maximus, with the select strength of the army, the 
next morning renewed the contest; but after a sharp conflict, the re- 
maining brave troops of Maximus threw clown their arms at the feet 
of the conqueror. 

Theodosius pursued his vanquished foe, in order to finish the war 
by the death or captivity of his rival, who fled before him ; and on the 
evening of the first day, such was his incredible speed, he had passed 
the Julian Alps, and reached Aquileia; Maximus having scarcely time 
to shut the gates of the city. They were quickly forced, and the 
wretched Emperor, rudely stripped of his Imperial robe, diadem, and 
purple slippers, was dragged to the camp and presence of Theodosius; 
who was inclined to pity and forgive his fallen rival: but public jus- 
tice and the memory of Gratian, induced him to abandon the victim 
to the soldiers, who drew him away from the Imperial presence, and 
instantly beheaded him. Victor, the son of Maximus, on whom the 
title of Augustus had been bestowed, was also put to death by the 
order of Arbogastes. Maximus had learnt that Theodosius had sent 
Justina with Valentinian and Galla to Rome, by sea ; knowing that 
Romans would receive them with pleasure, because they were disaf- 
fected to Maximus. The British Emperor collected a number of swift 
sailing ships, and sent them to cruise in every direction ; but the com- 
mander, x\dragathius, failed of his purpose, they having crossed the 
Ionian sea. When the intelligence of the death of Maximus reached 
Adragathius, he instantly drowned himself. 

G GG 



410 THE PICTS AND SCOTS.— FERGUS II. 

CHAP. 
XIII. 



A.D. 388. ROMAN POWER RESTORED. 



Theqdosius passed the winter at Milan, restoring the mischiefs 
caused by the civil war; and in the spring made his triumphal entry 
into the ancient capital of the Roman empire *. 

During the life of Theodosius, Britain remained in peace. This 
great Emperor died of a dropsy at Milan, January 17th, 395, after 
having, on the morning of that day, made a painful effort to contribute 
to the public joy, by his presence at a splendid exhibition of the 
games and spectacles of the circus, to welcome the arrival of Hono- 
rius, who, with his brother Arcadius, succeeded to the Empire. 
A.D. 395. Honorius was very young, and the famous Stilico was appointed 
by Theodosius regent during the minority. Stilico's first care was, 
to send a governor with a legion, into Britain, to curb the insolence of 
the Picts, who began to make inroads into the Roman province. 
Stilico for this purpose made choice of Victorinus, a person of a fierce 
and arrogant temper. He confined the Picts strictly within their li- 
mits, treated them as subjects of the empire, and even forbade them to 
crown another king in the room of Hungust, who had just died. The 
Picts finding their liberty in danger, regretted the loss of the assist- 
ance of the Scots, as on former occasions ; they therefore resolved to 
recal them : to which end they sent an honourable embassy to Fer- 
gus f, a prince of the blood royal of Scotland, who had retired to Den- 
mark; and invited him to come and take possession of the country. 



* Zosimus, B. IV* 

f Fergus the Second ; he died in 404. 



BRITISH EMPEROR CONSTANTINE. 

Fergus accepted the offer, and made his intentions known, that he was 
ready to lead back the fugitive Scots. 

In the mean time, the troubles which existed in the Roman empire 
had obliged Stilico to recal Victorinus and his legions. At this junc- 
ture the Scots entered the island, under the command of Fergus, who 
was unanimously chosen their king. 

Fergus, at the head of the Scots and Picts, after taking the fortresses 
built by Theodosius, (the father of the Emperor), advanced to Severus's 
wall, which was weakly defended ; entered the Roman province, and 
laid waste the country. 

Since the subjection of Britain to Rome so many Roman and foreign 
families had settled there, and were now so mixed with the natives, 
that they made but one people, and from this period the term Britons 
is applied to this mixed nation, all having a common interest. 

EMPERORS OF BRITAIN ELECTED. 

The Britons, despairing of any effectual assistance from Rome, re- A.J). 408. 
solved to elect an Emperor whose interest it should be to protect 
them. Their choice fell on an officer named Marcus, a person much 
esteemed by them. But Marcus not having the good fortune to 
please all the world, was soon slain, and another, named Gratian, was 
presented with a diadem and a purple robe. Four months after his 
election, Gratian, being of a cruel and bloody disposition, met the 
same fate. 

The next who was raised to the imperial dignity, was a common 
soldier, in consequence of the good fortune supposed to be attached 
to his name, which was Constantine. Being a man of courage, and of 

GGG2 



411 



412 CONQUEST OF GAUL AND SPAIN. 

C vt^F' a S enius far ab ove his former condition, Constantine drove back the 
v-*— s**J Northern invaders, and concluded a treaty of peace with them. 

From this success, the fortunate soldier's ambition was inflamed 
with the desire to become master of the Roman Empire. He formed 
an army of the islanders; and the remaining Romans passed over the 
sea, landed at Boulogne ; and his title was acknowledged by those ci- 
ties in Gaul which were still free. 

While Constantine was preparing his army at Orleans, where here- 
sided, he sent ambassadors to Honorius, who was at that juncture at- 
tacked by Alaric, king of the Goths, to acquaint him of his being 
chosen Emperor by Britain, and to excuse his acceptation of that dig- 
nity without the knowledge of Honorius. The Emperor, being so 
pressed by the Goths, was forced to acknowledge Constantine as his 
associate in the Empire. This condescension on the part of Hono- 
rius, so far from satisfying, served only to inspire this new Emperor 
with still higher views. He sent for his son, Constans, who was in a 
monastery at Winchester; and associating him in power with the 
title of Caesar, and leaving him in the command of an army to 
maintain his authority, Constantine marched towards the Alps, in or- 
der to invade Italy and dethrone Honorius. On his arrival at the Py- 
renees, Constantine was opposed by four brothers, kinsmen of Hono- 
rius, who, from a spirit of family zeal and interest, nobly attempted, 
with levies hastily collected, at their own expense, to check the in- 
vader ; but they were utterly defeated by a corps called Honorians, 
who, for rewards and honours, entered into the service of Constan- 
tine. They consisted of about five thousand Scots, Gallicani, Moors, 
and Marcomanni. Two of the brothers escaped by sea, and the other 
two, who with their wives had been captured, after a short suspense, 
were executed at Aries. Spain submitted. 

The title of Constantine was now acknowledged, from the frontier of 



CONSTANTINE INVADES ITALY. 



113 



Scotland to the Pillars of Hercules. By means of a secret correspond- CHAP. 

. . XIII. 

ence with the court of Honorius, Constantine extorted a ratification ^s-v— ^ 

of his claims, engaging himself, by a solemn promise, to deliver Italy 
from the Goths. He had secured the passes of the Cottian, the Pen- 
nine, and the Maritime Alps ; and he advanced as far as the Po, but 
hastily returned to Aries to celebrate, with ostentation and luxury, his 
vain triumph. 

Constans, his son, who was now invested with the imperial purple, 
commanded in Spain, and during his absence had appointed his brav- 
est general, Gerontius, to govern that province. It was by the able 
conduct of this officer that Gaul and Spain were subdued. The un- 
grateful Constantine, jealous of his general's fame, sent orders for his 
removal from his post. 

Gerontius rebelled ; but, for some reason not known, he placed the 
diadem upon the head of a friend, named Maximus, who resided at 
Tarragona; while he pressed forward through the Pyrenees to sur- 
prise the two Emperors, before they could prepare for their defence. 
The unfortunate Constans was surrounded at Vienne, whence he sal- 
lied forth, and rushed upon death ; having had scarcely time to deplore 
his fatal elevation, and the deserting of his peaceful monastic seclusion 
at Winchester. 

The father defended Aries against Gerontius; and that city must 
have fallen, had not an army from Italy suddenly approached. Both 
the besieged and the besiegers were confounded. Gerontius, aban- 
doned by his troops, escaped towards Spain. In the night, a great 
body of his own soldiers, who had been awed by a proclamation, in 
the name of Honorius, their lawful Emperor, surrounded and attacked 
his house, which he had barricadoed. His wife, a valiant friend of the 
nation of the Alani, and some slaves, were with him; and a large 



414 MISFORTUNES OF GERONTIUS, A BRITON. 

CHAP, magazine of darts and arrows were used, with such resolution, that three 
^-«*~ v~*»~> hundred of the assailants lost their lives. 

The missile weapons being spent, the slaves deserted at the dawn of 
day. The defence was continued; and the soldiers, provoked by such 
obstinacy, set fire to the house on all sides. In this fatal extremity, 
Gerontius complied with the request of his barbarian friend, and cut 
off his head. His wife, Nonnichia, whom he loved, conjured him not 
to abandon her to despair and disgrace, and eagerly presented her neck 
to his sword. The tragedy was closed by the unfortunate Gerontius 
sheathing a dagger in his own heart *. His friend Maximus, after en- 
joying the phantom of authority a short while, was resigned to the 
justice of Honorius, and, after being shewn at Ravenna and Rome, was 
publicly executed. 

In the mean while, the British Emperor was besieged in Aries, by 
the general Constantius : but he had sufficient time to negotiate with 
the Franks and Alemanni ; and his ambassador, Edobic, a Frank by 
extraction, but a native of Britain, returned at the head of an army, 
and attacked the besiegers; his troops, by a stratagem, were sud- 
denly surrounded, but their leader escaped from the field of battle to 
the house of a faithless friend, who too clearly understood how accept- 
able a present the head of his obnoxious guest would be to the impe- 
rial commander. Constantius turned with horror from the assassin 
of Edobic; and sternly gave his orders, that the camp should no 
longer be polluted by the presence of a wretch, who had thus treated 
a friend, who, in his distress, had claimed his protection. 

This conduct inspired Constantine, who from the walls of Aries 
had beheld the destruction of his last hope, with confidence in so 



* Gerontius was a Briton — Zosimus, p. 172. 



INDEPENDENCE OF BRITAIN. 



415 



generous a conqueror. He obtained a solemn promise for his security, 
and submitted. 



CHAP. 
XIII. 



The abdicated sovereign, his brother Sebastian, and his son Julian, A.D. 411. 
were sent, under a strong guard, into Italy ; and, before they reached 
the palace at Ravenna, they met the ministers of death. (November 
28,411). Thus fell this British Emperor, who, like so many others, 
proved that ambition and moderation can never exist in the same per- 
son. 

During the absence of Constantine, the Scots and Picts seized the 
opportunity to break through the barrier, and ravage the country ; on 
which the Britons assembled in arms, and repelled the invaders. Re- 
joicing in the discovery of their own strength, they expelled the 
magistrates who acted under the authority of Constantine, and estab- 
lished a free government. The independence of Britain was confirm- 
ed by Honorius. 

In the reign of Valentinian III. a Roman legion was sent to the 
assistance of the Britons, and the northern invaders were confined 
within the barrier; but necessity caused the recal of this legion 
to Italy. Gallio, the commander, before he departed, assisted the 
Britons to repair the wall of Severus; and recommended them to 
inure themselves to arms. 

The Romans had been masters of the island near four centuries, 
and had never suffered the Britons to be disciplined to the use of 
arms. It being their policy to employ foreign troops in their con- 
quests, the soldiers levied in Britain were sent into other provinces, 
and from whence they never returned. These levies were so nume- 
rous, that twelve considerable bodies of British soldiers were dispersed 
throughout the empire, and were always recruited from Britain. If 
there be added the immense armies, and their followers, who succes- 
sively accompanied the British emperors Maximus and Constantine, 



416 



FINAL DEPARTURE OF THE ROMANS. 



CHAP, to contest the throne with the masters of the world, the weak con- 
XIII. 

v^*-v-w> dition of the island is accounted for. The Romans now bade a final 
A.D.427. farewel*. 



Britain became a scene of jealousies, tumults, and contention 
for power among the nobles, who sought to destroy their rivals. 
This anarchy and confusion produced their necessary consequence, 
famine and desolation. Vortigern, the last of these kings or chiefs, 
fearing the fate of his predecessors, proposed, in a general assembly, 
to call in the aid of the Saxons, to repel the Scots and Picts, His 
proposal was accepted with joy. (A. D. 449). 



Hengist the Saxon carried devastation into the most remote corners 
of the island : he spared neither age nor sex, nor condition. Temples, 
palaces, and private edifices were reduced to ashes: priests were 
slaughtered on the altars; the bishops and the nobility shared the 
same fate. The people, flying to the mountains, were butchered in 
heaps; and many took shelter and settled in Armorica with their 
countrymen. Thus were the towns, colonies, and public buildings 
suddenly reduced to heaps of ruins, and the whole island desolated by 
the idolatrous and savage Saxons f . 

IMPORTANCE OF BRITAIN TO THE ROMANS. 

The private manners and public amusements which prevailed in 
Roman Britain, are unknown: it is only from occasional allusions 

* See Camden, Henry, Rapin, Gibbon, Zosimus, Milton, 
f See Hume ; and Milton, 8vo, p. 134. 



* 



LEAD MINES WORKED BY THE ROMANS. 

to that country by a few Roman writers, that any thing is to be col- 
lected; and then only in times of war. The high value and import- 
ance of that island may be estimated by the number of Emperors, or 
other eminent persons who became Emperors, who visited or reigned 
in Britain *. 

In a short time after the Romans had carried their arms through 
Britain, they began to apply with vigour to the working of the mines. 
At first the ore of lead offered itself on the surface, and in such quan- 
tities, that in Pliny's time (who died A. D. 79), there was a law, (as in 
modern times with respect to black lead), limiting the annual produce. 
Many of the works that we suspect to have been Roman, are very shal- 
low, in form of trenches, through which they pursued the veins. Af- 
terwards, they went as deep as the then known art would per- 
mit. " We descend into the very bowels of the earth, and seek riches 
even in the seat of departed spirits." (Pliny). We find that great fires 
were used, the rock intensely heated, and cracks formed, by the sud- 
den infusion of water: Pliny says of vinegar. The stone or ore was 
then forced out by the wedge or pick-axe. Miners often discover 
the marks of fire in ancient mines. 

A little wedge, in the possession of Pennant, was discovered in a 
deep fissure of Dalar Goch rock, five inches and a quarter long, almost 
entirely encrusted with lead ore. Pick-axes of an uncommon bulk, 
and very clumsy, have been discovered in the bottom of the mineral 
trenches, like the Fractaria, which the Romans used in the gold mines, 

* They were Julius Csesar. — Claudius. — Vespasian. — Titus. — Adrian. — Per- 
tinax. — Clodius Albinus, elected in Britain. — Severus, who died at York. — 
Caracalla. — Geta. — Maximian. — Carausius and Silvius, co-emperors of Britain. — 
Allectus, Emperor of Britain. — Constantius, who died at York. — Constantine 
the Great, proclaimed at York. — Constans. — Constantine Junior. — Theodosius the 
Great. — Maximus. — Marcus. — Gratian. — Constantine. The four last were Em- 
perors of Britain. 

HHH 



418 



TIN MINES.— EXPORTATION OF TIN. 



CHAP, in Spain. Buckets of singular construction, and other things of uses 
—-v-"*"^ unknown at present, have been found among the ancient mines. 

The labourers worked by stems, night and day, by the light of 
lamps : they drove levels, sunk shafts, propping the ground as they 
went on, and pursued the veins by forming drifts; and, finally, they 
had pumps which flung up the water from the greatest depths. 

The ore was cleansed according to the modern method, smelted in 
a furnace, and cast into forms nearly resembling the common pigs of 
lead. One has been dug up in Hints common, in Staffordshire, 
twenty-two and a half inches long, and one hundred and fifty pounds 
weight, marked IMP. x VESP x VH x T x IMP. x V x COS. 
which answers to the year 75. In 1731, two of the same kind were 
discovered on Hayshaw moor, near Ripley, in Yorkshire, cast in the 
year 87, inscribed Imperatore Csesare Domitiano, &c. and the word 
Brig, signifying that it came from the country of the Brigantes. 

Twenty similar pieces were found near Halton in Cheshire, marked 
IMP DOMIT AUG. C. DE CEANG. &c. some of them certainly 
from the Cangi of Derbyshire. A mass of lead was found near Wokey 
Hole, in Somersetshire, inscribed to Claudius, about the year 50. 

The Romans appear to have been well versed in metallurgy; and 
to have had regular smelting houses. The Britons, before their con- 
quest by the Romans, had a very simple but effectual process ; for the 
most metal that can now be procured from a ton of their slags, is but 
about one hundred and fifty pounds *. 

The Romans formed, in the tin province, camps and roads still visi- 
ble. Vases, urns, sepulchres, and coins, exhibit daily proofs of their 
having been a stationary people in Cornwall f. The tin was melted, 
purified, cast into rows of cubes, carried to the Isle of Wight, (Ictis), 



* Pennant's Tour in Wales, Vol. I. p. 61. 



f Borlace, Antiq. p. 278. 



COPPER.— CALAMINE.—IRON.— BRITISH COINS. 



419 



exported to Gaul, and carried a journey of thirty days upon horses' QHLg k 
backs, to the mouth of the Rhone; and then to the Massilians (Mar- «^»-v-**. 
seilles) and the town of Narbonne. With the tin the Romans formed 
mirrors, lined their brass utensils, made pewter, and, by the combina- 
tion of other metals, a substance which imitated silver. 

The Romans had founderies of copper in Britain ; a mass, in shape 
like a cake of bees' wax, was found at Conovium, (Caer-hen, four miles 
above Conway) deeply impressed with the words f SOCIO ROMiE," 
and across it " Natsol," weight, forty-two pounds. 

Remains of brass founderies are discovered ; which prove that Ca- 
lamine, which abounds in the island, was known to the Romans. It 
was imported from Sweden before Elizabeth's reign, when mines of it 
were again discovered in the Mendip hills. 

Beds of iron cinders, the reliques of the Romans, are found in the 
forest of Dean ; others in Monmouthshire ; another near Miskin, be- 
neath which was a coin of Antoninus Pius, and a piece of earthen- 
ware ; others in Yorkshire, accompanied with coins. The beds of cin- 
ders are supposed to be almost inexhaustible, and are now worked 
over again; they yield a more kindly metal than the ore. 

Gold and Silver are enumerated, by Strabo, among the products of 
Britain. The Britons coined gold and silver before the arrival of the 
Romans. There are coins of Cassivelaunus ; and thirty-nine different 
ones, of Cunobeline, whose capital was Colchester. This British king 
had been at Rome. After their acquaintance with the Romans, the 
Britons engraved letters, elephants and gryphons, on their coins. Seve- 
ral rings, instruments of sacrifice, buttons, forceps, and ornaments of 
dress, of gold, silver, and brass, with numerous fragments of others, 
have been found near Flint*. 



* See Pennant's Tour in Wales, Vol. I. 
HHH 2 



420 REVENUES.— CORN.— DOGS.— ARCHITECTS. 

C^HAP. The revenues in Britain were sufficient to support those generals 
\^»— y-**^ wft0 assumed the imperial dignity, without any other income. IfLip- 
sius's calculation be just, they amounted to two millions sterling*. The 
Emperor Julian, having, on the banks of the Rhine, built eight hun- 
dred small vessels, sent them to Britain for corn (A. D. 361). They 
returned to the Rhine; and the corn was sent up that river for the 
winter support, and for sowing their lands in spring f. This was so 
often repeated, that the supply was abundant. 

The route from Italy to Britain was up the Rhone, as far as it 
was navigable : thence, over land to the Seine, and across the Channel. 
The general trade from the continent into Britain was carried on, 
chiefly, from the mouths of the Rhine, Loire, Garonne, and Seine; 
where merchants and agents resided. Bull-dogs, for baiting of bulls, 
mastiffs, and beagles, were exported to Rome J. 

Under the protection of the Romans, ninety-two considerable towns 
had arisen in the several parts of Britain, thirty-three of which were 
distinguished, above the rest, by superior privileges and importance §. 
Every Roman colony, (of which there were nine), and free city, was 
a little Rome, adorned with temples, palaces, halls, basilicks, baths, and 
many fine buildings, both for use and ornament. This magnificence 
charmed and engaged the conquered to imitate the pleasures and vices 
of the Romans. The Britons became such excellent architects and 
artificers, that Constantius sent workmen from Britain to rebuild Au- 
tunin Gaul || . 

* Dr. Henry, Vol. 1.359. f Zosimus, p. 70. 

J Henry, Vol. II. p. 224. — Oysters were exported to Italy. 

He (Montanus) could tell 

At the first relish, if his oysters fed 

At theRutupian (Richborough) or the Lucrine bed. 

Juvenal, Sat. IV. 

§ Gibbon, Vol. III. p. 275. || Dr. Henry, Vol. II. p. 121. 



AMPHITHEATRES.— TEMPLES.— BATHS. 42 1 

Four or more amphitheatres are still discoverable. Two noble ones 
at Dorchester and Silchester. A good one at Caerleon, which was a 
splendid and considerable place : and at Richborough a Castrensian am- 
phitheatre of turf, for the diversion of the garrison. There must also 
have been a circus or amphitheatre at York. (See page 313). 

There are other remains of buildings in various parts, that probably- 
served for the same purpose as the amphitheatres*. 

Two large baths were discovered at Chester ; one of them sup- 
ported by thirty- two pillars, two feet ten inches high ; the other more 
extensivef . Chester and Colchester furnish very numerous Roman 
remains. There are more in and about Colchester than any where in 
South Britain. Westward of the town, there are strong intrench- 
ments, the supposed remains of the castra, castella, and praesidia, 
formed about this place, according to Tacitus*. The tessellated 
pavements are generally three to four feet under the surface. A large 
bath was discovered at Lincoln, in 1740, at the depth of thirteen feet. 
The very numerous and beautiful tessellated pavements found all over 
England, attest the sumptuous and elegant stile in which the Romans 
lived. " It may seem strange that there are not many nobler testimo- 
nies of Roman grandeur to be seen at York; no ruins of temples, am- 
phitheatres, palaces, public baths, &c. whose edifices must have made 
that city shine as bright almost as Rome itself. The wonder will 
cease, when the reader sees, in the sequel, such terrible burnings 
devastations, and horrid destruction of every thing sacred or pro- 
fane §. 

There are four principal Roman ways in England. I. Watling- 
street ||, leading from Dover to London, Dunstable, Towcester, At- 

* See Chap, on Amphitheatres. f Pennant's Wales, Vol. T. p. 115. 

+ Morant's Essex. § Drake's York, p. 55. 

|| So named from Vitellianus, who projected it, and whose name was pro- 



422 



FOUR ROMAN ROADS. 



CHAP, terston, and the Severn, near the Wrekin in Shropshire, and extend- 
ing as far as Anglesea in Wales. 



II. Ikeneld-street, leading from Southampton, over the river Isis at 
Newbridge, thence by Campden and Litchfield, then passes the Der- 
went near Derby, so to Bolsover castle, and ends at Tinmouth. 

III. One called Fosse-way, (because in some places it was never 
perfected, but lies as a large ditch), leads from Cornwall through De- 
vonshire, by Tetbury near Stow in the Wolds, and on the side of Co- 
ventry to Leicester, Newark, and so to Lincoln. 

IV. Erminage-street, stretches from St. David's in West Wales to 
Southampton*. 

There were numerous other provincial roads : from York, in parti- 
cular, there was a road to Whitby, another to Stockton, one to Flambo- 
rough, near Bridlington Bay, one to Petuaria, (by South Cave), a Ho- 
man station ; one to Aldborough, (the capital of the Brigantes), to 
Bernard-castle, and other places f . 



nounced by the Britons Gwetalin. — Camden, Vol. I. p. xlvii. Many Roman mile- 
stones have been found near these roads. 

* Rees's Cyclop. " Way." f Map by Bowen, Geographer to the King. 



423 



CHAPTER XIV. 



Remains of Elephants and Wild Beasts, found in England, Scot- 
land, and Ireland. 

In Grays-inn Lane, London, a tusk of an elephant, at the depth of CHAP. 

. XIV. 
twelve feet, m gravel. s^-y-** 

Note. — This place was not a mile from Londinium. Caesar's in- 

trenchments are still visible at the bottom of this lane, and the place 

is called Battle Bridge. (Stukeley, Itin. Cur. Vol. II. p. 5). Caesar, we 

have seen, had at least one large elephant when he crossed the Thames. 

* # *• * 

" In 1689, in a gravel pit, not far from the sign of Sir John Old- 
castle, Mr. Conyers, a great antiquary, discovered the carcass of an 
elephant. I saw part of it dug out, and what remained he bought 
of the workmen. This he was of opinion had not lain there 
ever since the flood, but since the Romans; for in the time of 
Claudius, as mentioned by the learned Selden in Drayton's Polyolbion, 
near this place a battle was fought between the Britons and Romans; 
for in the same pit he found the head of a British spear made of flint." 
Selections from the Gent's. Mag. Vol. I. p. 429. 



TEMPLE OF DIANA.— ST. PAUL'S CHURCH. 

* * •* * 

" Dr. Woodward, (in his letter to Sir Christopher Wren), ac- 
quaints us, that he had in his collection tusks of boars, horns of oxen 
and of stags, as also the representation of deer, and even of Diana her- 
self, upon the sacrificing vessels dug up near St. Paul's church, and 
likewise a small image of that goddess, found at no great distance. 
From ancient writers, it appears that not only stags, but oxen, were 
sacrificed to Diana. An ancient MS. in the Cotton library, informs 
us, that in the time of Melitus, the first bishop of London, Ethelbert, 
king of Kent, built a church to the honour of St. Paul, on the site 
where before stood a temple of Diana : and there were also certain ce- 
remonies performed at this church on the day of St. Paul's conversion, 
by the multitude, which evidently alluded to the worship of Diana: 
and manors were held by the service of offering a doe, or buck and 
doe, at the high altar of the church, on the above-mentioned day. A 
ceremony of this kind was continued to the time of queen Elizabeth." 
Jortin's Life of Erasmus, Rees's Encyc. " Diana." 

* * * * 

At Romford, twelve miles east from London, a cart-load of elephants' 
and rhinoceros's bones were dug up in a field. 

Note. — This was the Roman military station of Durolitum, and is 
on the Roman highway. Dr. Stukeley. 

* * * * 



424 



" At Ilford, (seven miles east of London), a very large skeleton of a 



KEW.— HARWICH.— WALTON. 425 

mammoth, or elephant, was found fourteen feet deep in tenacious clay ; y P ' 
and many other tusks and bones." Morning Herald, May 7th, 1824. 

At Kew, seven miles west of London, bones of the elephant and 
stag, and a great number of the hippopotamus. 

Note. — It may be observed that these remains are found, like others, 
at the usual distance from cities. Romford was a military post. The 
Emperor Geta resided in London the three years the Emperors Se- 
verus and Caracalla were living at York. Severus was particularly cu- 
rious in procuring foreign animals. (See Chap. XL) Wild beasts 
were no doubt exhibited for private gain in greater numbers by the 
Romans than in modern times; but the public games must have been 
exhibited in Britain for three centuries. 

# * * * 

At Mersey island, Essex, about five miles from Colchester, an entire 
skeleton of an elephant was found. Selections, Gent.'s Mag. Vol. II. 
p. 462. 

At Harwich, a very beautiful fossil turtle, embedded in a solid 
block of cement stone. Another large stone of about five hundred 
weight, when broken, was found to contain nearly the whole of a human 
skeleton. See Common Sense Newspaper, No. 60. 

At Walton, five miles south of Harwich, bones of the elephant, stag, 
hippopotamus, rhinoceros, and Irish fossil elk* have been found. Par- 
kinson, Vol. III. p. 366. 

" Ralph of Coggleshall relates, that giants' teeth were found at the 
Ness, near Harwich, three hundred and fifty years ago ; so large, that 

* Remarks on the Irish elk will be seen in Ch. XVIII. 
in 



426 BURTON.— BRIGHTON— SHOREHAM. 

CHAP, they would make two hundred teeth of the present species of men." 
Vs^-v-^ Camden, Vol. II. p. 46. 

Note. — Harwich is the port loading to the Roman colony of Came- 
lodunum, (distant twelve miles), where Claudius encamped with three 
legions ; and which place became a Roman city of the first importance. 
" Cunobeline, the British king, who resided here, had visited the court 
of Augustus at Rome : thirty-nine of his different coins of gold, silver, 
&c. have been found. Some of the British coins have elephants on 
them." See Pennant's Wales, Vol. I. p. 69 ; and the plate of coins in 
Ch. XIII. Claudius remained but sixteen days in Britain ; and it is 
not probable that there were exhibitions during that short period. He 
was, however, so fond of the combats of beasts in the amphitheatres, that 
he would pass whole days at those amusements. See Suetonius, Ch. 
XXXIV. We find among these remains at Harwich the African hip- 
popotamus, the Irish elk, and it is possible that the elephant or rhino- 
ceros may have been of Asiatic origin. 

* * * * 

At Burton, Sussex, in the park, (1740), at the depth of nine feet, 
two large and two small tusks, a thigh bone, knee-pan, and grinder, 
were found. Selections, Gent.'s Mag. II. 460. 

* # * * 

In the tunnel under Kemp-town, Brighton, bones of the horse and 
elephant. A rib, supposed to be of an elephant, was found on the 
bank of Shoreham harbour. Phil. Mag. December, 1824. 



* * * * 



OXFORDSHIRE.— KENT.— OXWICH BAY. 427 
At Watlington park, Oxfordshire, at the depth of fifty or sixty feet, CHAP. 

X.1 V. 

were found many whole oaks, one upright, and one upright reversed, "^^-^ 
hazel nuts, a stag's head and antlers, sound, not discoloured ; and on the 
same spot, two Roman urns. Dr. Plott's Hist. Oxf. p. 161. 

* * * # 

" In 1668, at Chartham, Kent, at the depth of seventeen feet, a par- 
cel of monstrous bones, and four teeth, were dug up, which agree with 
a late description of the grinders of the elephant. Some are of 
opinion that they are bones of elephants, abundance of which were 
brought over by the Emperor Claudius, who landed at Sandwich," 
Hasted's Kent, III. 155. 

Note. — Chartham is on the road to London. 

* # * # 

At Bowden Parva, Northamptonshire, two tusks of an elephant. 
Selections, Gent.'s Mag. II. 462. * * * 

At Paviland, near Oxwich bay, South Wales, bones of the rhinoce- 
ros, hyaena, deer, ox, elephant, bear, wolf, fox, horse, water rat, man, 
birds and modern bones of sheep, &c. Professor Buckland. 

Note. — At Neath, fourteen miles north-east, there is a Roman en- 
campment of great extent, and several small intrenchments : further 
on, above thirty miles, is Caerleon, where there was a Roman amphithe- 
atre. — See Rees's Encyc. " Neath." 

* * * * 

At Chester, were found marks of Roman sacrifices, heads, horns, &c. 

I I I 2 



428 RUGBY. — CORNWALL. — PLYMOUTH. 

CHAP, of the ox, roebuck, &c. : and with them two coins of Vespasian and 
^--v-^y Constantius. — Pennant's Wales, Vol. I. 



At Newnham, near Rugby, three tusks, curved outwards, like those 
of Siberia, and other elephants' bones, stags' bones, and two rhinoceros' 
skulls. At Lawford, near Rugby, bones of a hyaena, elephant, and rhi- 
noceros. 

Note. — Newnham is one mile east of the Roman fosse way, and five 
miles west of the Roman highway. Lawford is a mile and a half east 
of the fosse way, and five and a half west of the highway: and not a 
mile to the south of Newnham Regis. " Rugby is distant about three 
miles, and is the Tripontio of the Romans." — See Horsley, Brit, 
Rom. p. 436. 



" A farmer at Bossens, in the parish of Erth, at the depth of 
eighteen feet, found a Roman patera, and, six feet deeper, a jug; and, 
digging further, they found another patera intermixed with sacrificial 
fragments of horns, bones of several sizes, half burnt sticks, and frag- 
ments of worn out shoes. In the field near, there are remains of a 
fort, one hundred and fifty-two feet long, one hundred and thirty-six 
broad; the fosse, outside, is still discoverable." — Borlace's Cornwall, 
p. 316. 

* * * * 



At Oreston, near Plymouth, bones of bears, rhinoceroses, and deer. 
All this quarry had been worked by blasting through the solid rock : 
here and there are a few small caverns similar to that where the bones 



MENDIP HILLS.— BRISTOL. 429 

were discovered ; but none of them had the appearance of connection CHffiK 
with the surface, or with each other. — Phil. Trans. 1821, p. 134. ^^• v — «^ 
And of the horse, ox, hyaena, wolf, deer, and tiger. — Professor Buck- 
land, Second Edition, p. 72. 

Note. — Plymouth is the Tamari Ostea of the Romans, whose cus- 
tom it was to blast the rocks in the mines. — Pennant's Wales, I. p. 55. 



At Hutton, Mendip hills, bones of horses, stags, oxen, fox, hog. 

At Sandford, deer, elephant, and other bones. 

Ten miles from Bristol, an immensely large stag's horn. 

A gentleman was digging upon a high hill, near Mendip, for ochre 
and ore: at the depth of fifty-two fathoms, he found four grinders and 
two thigh bones of an elephant, well preserved in a bed of ochre. — 
Selections from Gent.'s Mag. II. 460, &c. 

" At Banwell, near the west extremity of the Mendip hills, some 
miners, in sinking a shaft in search of Calamine, intersected a steep 
and narrow fissure, which, after descending eighty feet, opened into 
a spacious cavern a hundred and fifty feet long, thirty wide, and 
twenty to thirty high. From the difficulty of descending by this 
fissure, it was judged desirable to make an opening in the side of the 
hill, a little below, in a line which might lead directly into the interior 
of the cave. This gallery had been conducted but a few feet, when 
the workmen suddenly penetrated another cavern of inferior dimen- 
sions to that which they were in search of, and found its floor to be 
covered, (to a depth which has not yet been ascertained), with a bed of 
sand, mud, and fragments of limestone, through which were dispersed 
an enormous quantity of bones, horns, and teeth. The thickness of 
this mass has been ascertained in one place to be nearly forty feet, 



130 



CALAMINE. 



€HAP, chiefly of the ox, and deer tribes: of the latter, there are several varie- 
XIV. J 

-rfS - v -«w' ties, including the elk, a few portions of the skeleton of a wolf, and of 
a gigantic bear. 



The bones are in a state of preservation equal to that of common 
grave bones; although it is clear, from the fact of some of them 
belonging to the great extinct bear species, that they are of antedilu- 
vian origin *. In the roof of the cave, there is a large chimney-like 
opening, which appears to have communicated formerly with the sur- 
face, but which is choked up with fragments of limestone, interspers- 
ed with mud and sand, and adhering together imperfectly by a sta- 
lagmitic incrustation. Through this aperture it is probable the ani- 
mals fell into the cave and perished, in the period preceding the inun- 
dation by which it was filled up. In this manner cattle are continually 
lost by falling into similar apertures in the limestone hills of Derby- 
shire. There is nothing to induce a belief that it was a den inhabited 
by hyaenas, like the cave at Kirkdale, or by bears, like those in Ger- 
many : its leading circumstances are similar to those of the ossiferous 
cavities in the limestone rock at Oreston, near Plymouth." — Phil. Mag. 
December, 1824. 

Note.— A Roman road runs through Bomium ( Axbridge) to Bristol. 
(Horsley, p. 464). Of the fore-mentioned places, Hutton is within six 
miles, Sandford within one, and Banwell within two and a half miles 
of the Roman Road. This last-mentioned collection at Banwell, is 
probably in a Roman mine. " Calamine," says Pennant, " the Cadmia 
of Pliny, (Lib. XXXIV. Ch. X.), and the stone Cadmia of Strabo, 
abounds in the mineral part of this island. The Romans knew its uses 
in the making of brass ; therefore they cannot be supposed to have over- 



* See the remarks on animals deemed extinct, Ch. XVIII. The Romans had 
Numidian bears; which are probably not known by the moderns. See Herodotus, 
Melpomene CXCI. and note 188. 



A CAVE OF FOSSIL BONES. 

looked so necessary an ingredient. The remains of the brass founde- 
ries discovered in our kingdom, shew that they were acquainted with 
it. The knowledge of this mineral, in after ages, was long lost. Be- 
fore the reign of Elizabeth much was imported from Sweden, but at 
that period it was discovered again in the Mendip hills ; and, fortu- 
nately, at the same time that the working of the copper mines in 
Cumberland was renewed. Our country abounds with it ; but, till 
within these sixty years, we were so ignorant of its value, as to mend 
our roads with it." — Tour in Wales, Vol. I. p. 66. 

From a consideration of the foregoing circumstances, the writer's 
conjecture is, that the cave of bones was an exhausted portion of the 
mine, converted into an ossuary, by the miners, for the remains of the 
oxen and deer which they fed on. It is also probable, that a military 
guard was stationed at the mines. It will naturally be asked, why 
they should so carefully throw the bones into so secret and secure a 
place ? to which it may be replied, that these bones might attract the 
wolves, and endanger their lives; they thus prevented that risk. 
Every English reader knows, that king Edgar commuted the punish- 
ment for crimes, into the acceptance of a certain number of wolves' 
tongues, from each criminal. In Wales, the taxes of gold and silver 
were converted into a tribute of wolves' heads. 

In after times, rewards were offered, and lands were held on condition 
of destroying the wolves. 

# * * * 

" In my last I told you that my lord of Cherbury was appointed by 
his Majesty to make inquiry touching the bones found near Glou- 
cester. His lordship shewed me the bones he had collected, which 
were a huckle bone, part of the shoulder blade, some parts of a tooth, 



432 



GLOUCESTER ELEPHANT. — SACRIFICE. 



^XIV* anC * ^"^S e °f ^ e nose, all of a huge bigness ; but his lordship's 
«**-v-*w' opinion was, that they were not the bones of a man, but of an elephant, 
because Claudius, who brought elephants into Britain, did build that 
city, for which he voucheth Ponticus Verunticus de rebus Britan- 
nicis, who saith, the ancient name of the city was Claudicestria ; and 
Mr. Camden, as you rightly observe, saith, that the Romans had a 
colony thereabout. 



His lordship told me, that these bones were found mingled with 
those of oxen, sheep, and hogs, and he shewed me the tusk of a boar 
found amongst them. There was a great square stone lying by them, 
which we conceived might be the upper stone of an altar, and that 
the bones were the relics of some great sacrifice celebrated there. 

The bridge of the nose was what confirmed his lordship's, and my 
opinion, that it could not be that of a man, for it did rather seem to be 
a bone very apt to bear up the long snout of an elephant. His lord- 
ship further told me, that Dr. Harvey, a great anatomist, opined, that 
they were the bones of some great beast, as an elephant. Dr. Clayton, 
his Majesty's professor of physic at Oxford was of the same opinion. 
One of the teeth of this pretended giant, by the special favour of my 
lord of Gloucester, I had the happiness to see ; which I found to be of 
a stony substance, both for hardness and weight; and it should seem, 
by his lordship's letter to me, that he himself was not confident that it 
was the tooth of a man. — Bishop Hakewill's Apology, p. 228. 

Note. — We must not wonder at an Ostiack,and a Swede or a German, 
confounding narwals, elephants, walruses, and whales, by the same 
name of mammoth, their languages are imperfectly known to each 
other. — Vide Strahlenberg, p. 404. 



# 



* * 



KIRKDALE IN YORKSHIRE. 

In Dublin, A. D. 1681, an elephant was accidentally burnt to death. 
—Phil. Trans. No. 326. 

At Magherry, near Belturbet, in the county of Cavan, four fossil 
grinders of an elephant were found. 

Note. — It is not improbable that these teeth may have belonged to 
an exhibited elephant : nor is it impossible that they should be of Ro- 
man origin. Ptolemy has given a better map of Ireland than of Scot- 
land : and the Romans had garrisons and settlements on the coast of 
Britain opposite to Ireland for upwards of three hundred years. 

* * * * 

At Kirkdale, in Yorkshire, in a cave, were found remains of the ele- 
phant, rhinoceros, hippopotamus, hyaena, bear, tiger, wolf, deer, ox, 
rabbit, water-rat, mouse, and birds. (For a particular description of 
the cave, and of the remains of the animals, the reader is referred to 
Professor Buckland's volume.) 

Note. — Kirkdale is about twenty-three miles north of York, or Ebo- 
racum, which was the Roman capital of Britain for above three hun- 
dred years : and the head quarters of the Roman Empire for more than 
three years. 

The bones which have been found at Kirkdale, correspond accurate- 
ly with the beasts killed in the amphitheatres in Italy. Tigers 
are rarely noticed ; and it is very worthy of remark, that Severus had 
tigers. — See Dion Cassius, " Severus." He also had foreign bulls. 
The skull of a bull (fossil) found in England, supposed to be of an ex- 
tinct species, is in the museum of the Royal College of Surgeons. We 
find in the Augustan History, that when Didius Julianus was in- 
formed that Severus had commenced his march, nothing was to be 
seen at Rome bat elephants, horses, and troops, training for service. 

KKK 



433 



434 



KIRKDALE. 



CHAP. In Spartian's life of Severus, we read, that, when he was in Egypt, he 
^~y-^> was much pleased with his voyage, because of the singular strangeness 
of the animals and places which he saw ; therefore, nothing is more 
probable than that he possessed hippopotami, rhinoceroses, crocodiles, 
and hyaenas ; all of which are natives of Egypt, and have been found 
at Kirkdale and Whitby, in a fossil state. 



It has been conjectured, from the appearance of the bones, that the 
animals had met with a violent death. Severus died at York, and 
one of the signs fore-running his death was that a figure of Victory, 
upon a platform near the Emperor's throne, was blown down while 
the games of the circus were celebrating *. The description of the val- 
ley corresponds exactly with what the Romans would select for such 
an occasion : and particularly for the display of the hippopotamus in 
his own element f . 

It can scarcely be doubted that such spectacles were common at 
the chief city, when we find the ruins of several amphitheatres visi- 
ble at this day, in Britain. 

When three Emperors were in the island, as might be expected, 
some of the animals were of rare occurrence, the tiger in particular. 

It may be observed that the bones of hippopotami have been found 
at Harwich, Kew, and Kirkdale, all in the environs, (as is usual), of 
the three principal Roman cities. In this collection of bones the 
tiger is Asiatic, the hippopotamus is African, and the small animals 
are, we may presume, European. 

There are still remaining in Pickering moor, some small Roman 

* Spartian, Life of Sev. See also Ch. XIII. in this Vol. 

f " Some amphitheatres were little more than natural vallies with benches cut 
in the surrounding hills." Rees's Cyc. " Amphitheatre." There is a valley si- 
milar to this at Kirkdale, in the Val. d'Arno, near which fossil bones of the same 
kinds of beasts have been found. 



WHITBY. — BRIDLINGTON. — NORFOLK. — ESSEX. 435 

camps, drawings of which may be seen in Roy's Military Antiquities.— c ^^ > - 
(See also Drake's York, p. 36) . There are the remains of a Roman forti- 
fication at old Malton *, and of Roman quarries, near Malton.— (Drake, 
p. 56.) 

York was surrounded by other Roman towns. Caturactonium, 
(now Thornborough), is full of Roman vestiges. Maglove(Gretabridge), 
Magi, (Piercebridge), and Derventione, on the Derwent, were all sta- 
tions of prefects of detachments. — (See Horsley and Camden). At 
York itself, there was always a considerable military force. The 
sixth legion was at that station three hundred years. — (Drake, p. 8). 

l&bf^ • . * * * 

At Robin Hood's bay near Whitby; at Scarborough; at Bridling- 
ton; remains of elephants. — Quarterly Review, LVI I. 

Note. — There is a Roman road to Whitby, (Dunus Sinus) : also to 
Flamborough, through Bridlington ; which last is named, by the Ro- 
mans, Gabrantovicorum Portus ; they name the bay Sinus Salutaris, 
a reputation which it still enjoys. — See the map in Ptolemy's Geogra- 
phy. 



In the interior of Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex, remains of elephants. 
Quarterly Review, LVII. p. 152. 

Note. — Colchester, (Camelodunum), was the capital of the most 
powerful British king. Norwich was the capital, (Venta Icenorum, or 
Caster), of the unfortunate heroine, Boadicea. After their connection 

* Malton is, in Ptolemy's map, named Camelodunum; which probably caused 
the erroneous assertion of some authors that Maldon in Essex was the other Camelo- 
dunum, instead of Colchester. 



KKK2 



DORCHESTER. — BATH. — SCOTLAND. 

with the Romans, the Britons put elephants on their coins. — Pen- 
nant's Wales, Vol. i. p, 69.— See Plate of coins in Ch. XIII. 

^ £fc 

Remains of elephants have been found at Dorchester, Lyme Regis, 
Charmouth, Whitchurch near Dorchester; at Burton and Loders, 
near Bridport. — Quarterly Review, LVII. 

Note. — At Dorchester, there was an amphitheatre ; all these places, 
are within twenty miles of the amphitheatre. 

# * * # 

At Box and Newton, near Bath, were found elephants' remains. 
In all these cases they are found in the superficial diluvial detritus, 
consisting of either gravel, sand, loam, or clay, and are never em- 
bedded in any of the regular strata. — Quarterly Review, LVII. These 
extracts are quoted from Professor Buekland's work ; the arguments 
concerning them, which are noticed in Chapter XVIII. of this 
volume, are by the reviewer. 

Note. — Bath was a celebrated Roman resort for its waters. The Bri- 
tish Emperor, Carausius, accompanied by his empress, and his son, 
gained a battle near Bath over the Ceangi. — See Ch. XIII. 

* * * * 

" A horn of the fossil rhinoceros was found in a marl pit at the loch of 
Forfar, and is in the Edinburgh Museum. 

" Two horns of the rhinoceros, we have been informed by Professor 
Jameson, have occurred in Blair Drummond Moss, on the banks of 



436 



SCOTLAND. 



437 



the Forth. Two tusks, and some small bones of an elephant were CHAP. 

XIV. 

found at Greenhill sandstone quarry, near the water of Carmel, in the ^*-v-^». 
parish of Kilmaurs, Ayrshire, in 1817, embedded in clay, at the depth 
of seventeen feet and a half. 

On the west of Clifton hall, in the county of Edinburgh, in 1820, 
a large tusk was found in a thick bed of clay, seventeen feet below the 
surface. At no great distance, the workmen, in excavating the canal, 
on the estate of Bonnington, found a copper battle axe, four feet deep, 
in a bed of clay, covered with seven feet of sand, and nine of moss. 

(The accuracy of the statement referred to in the text is question- 
ed by the Editor of the magazine). 

" The bones of the extinct elephant, rhinoceros, and cave bear, are 
found in company with those of the common bear, the wolf, the fox, and 
the horse." — Remarks on the influence of society, on the distribution 
of British animals, by the Rev. J. Fleming, D.D. F.R.S. &c. 

Note. — The scene of Agricola's fame was Forfarshire. The forts of 
Agiicola, and the rampart of Antoninus, built by Urbicus, were on the 
very road where some of these remains were found, and as they were gar- 
risoned for a great length of years, it is fair to presume, that they were 
supplied like other Roman stations, with the usual amusements. The 
mention of such trivial circumstances, as wild beasts accompanying 
the armies and camps, was beneath the dignity of such historians as 
have been preserved to the present time. It is worthy of remark, that 
no collections of bones, of a variety of foreign animals, have been dis- 
covered, (as far as the writer is informed), either in Scotland or Ire- 
land, where the Romans did not permanently dwell. It is not at all 
improbable that some animals may have been exhibited in Caledonia. 



438 FOSSIL CROCODILES. 

CHAP. The writer does not remember to have seen in any geological 
^*-v-*^ remarks on fossil bones, that they have ever been referred to the 
ordinary occurrences of society. Louis IX. sent to Henry III. King 
of England, an elephant which was kept in the Tower. (Pennant's Zoo- 
logy). Six centuries might place the remains of this animal in a posi- 
tion to subject it to the suspicion of an antediluvian origin; or of an 
extinct species, if from the north of Asia, or from Egypt. Many 
other remains have been found in Britain, but the foregoing appear to 
be the principal collections of bones. (See Professor Buckland's " Reli- 
quice Diluviance." Where the reader will find a very full description 
of the fossil bones, and of the places in which they have been found. 

■Jfc 3fc ^ 

Some fossil crocodiles have been found in England. A fossil croco- 
dile in the Alum-shale, near Whitby, upwards of fourteen feet long, 
and when perfect must have been eighteen ; and other remains of cro- 
codiles have been found near Whitby: also three or four species of 
icthyosaurus in the Alum-shale of Whitby. — Zoological Journal, April 
1825, p. 141. 

Mr. Kingdom mentions bones of a very large size, appearing to be- 
long to a whale and a crocodile, being found completely embedded in 
the Oolite quarries a mile from Chipping Norton, near Chapel-house. 
— Zool. Journal, July 1825, p. 284. The coasts of Yorkshire and Dor- 
setshire, Bath, and Newark in Nottinghamshire, are places where they 
have chiefly been found. — See Parkinson, Letters XVIII. and XIX. 

There is in the possession of Linkius a large fossil crocodile almost 
entire, which was found in the side of a large mountain in the midland 
part of Germany, and in a stratum of black fossil stone, somewhat like 
our common slate, but of a coarser texture, the same with that in 



FOSSIL CROCODILES. 439 

which the fossil fish in many parts of the world are found. — Rees's CHAP. 

J XIV. 
Cyc. " Crocodile." <***~y—s 

Note. — We find in Dion Cassius, B. LV. that Augustus amused the 
people with the hunting and killing of thirty-six crocodiles in one day. 
There can be no good reason why these animals, when grown, should 
not bear the climate of England for six months of the year at least. 
It is near eighteen centuries since Claudius arrived in Britain, and four 
thousand one hundred and seventy-three years since the period gene- 
rally assigned to the delugee have any of these animals, in a fossil state, 
been discovered in situations where natural accidents may not have 
placed them in seventeen centuries? 

The writer of these notes is not suflicienty acquainted with geology 
to offer an opinion on that subject. It must be recollected, with regard 
to the crocodile, icthyosaurus, and other animals, that Egypt belonged 
to the Romans, during the whole period of their possession of England. 
If crocodiles were once natural to England, would their remains not be 
found also in Scotland and Ireland? Have any been found in those 
parts ? I believe not : nor any collections of bones. If so, is it not a 
strong argument against a former hot climate? The remains of the 
crocodiles in England, have been found in such places as may justly 
make us suspect them to have been brought by the Romans. 



440 



CHAPTER XV. 



Description of the living Asiatic and African Elephants, which 
are noticed by Naturalists. List of Countries in which Ele- 
phants and other Wild Beasts are found. Tusks of fifteen 

thousand Elephants imported into Great Britain in eleven 
years. 

DESCRIPTION OF THE ELEPHANT. 

CHAP. A FULL grown elephant has, generally, eight grinders. They are 
^-^^j composed of vertical plates, of a bony substance, enveloped in enamel, 
and joined together by a third substance, called cortical. 

The grinders succeed or replace each other, not from beneath, as 
our second grinders succeed to our first, but from behind; so that in 
proportion as a tooth is worn away, it is pushed forward by that which 
comes after it. Thus the elephant has sometimes one, sometimes two 
grinders on each side ; four or eight in all, according to the period. 

It is said that some elephants thus change their grinders eight 
times. 

They shed their tusks only once, while under a year old. 

Only two species of elephants have been recognized. 

I. The Indian elephant has an oblong head, a concave forehead, and 



DESCRIPTION OF THE ELEPHANT. 44 

the crowns of its grinders present undulating ribbons, which are parts CHAP. 

XV 

of the plates which compose them, worn by trituration. The females v^-^-^ 
have only short tusks. The males, of the kind called Mookna, resem- 
ble females in this respect. The perfect Asiatic elephant has five nails 
upon the fore feet, and four upon the hind feet. 

II. The African elephant has a round head, a convex forehead, and 
grinders presenting lozenges on their crowns. The tusks of the fe- 
males are as large as those of the males*. They are found from Se- 
negal to the Cape. There are females on the east coast, according to 
Ludolph and Bruce, with small tusks; and Le Vaillant speaks of a 
race of elephants, (in his second travels at the Cape), which never have 
tusks, and the head of which is less elongated than the other sorts. 
The African elephant has four fore-nails, and three upon the hind 
feetf. 

The elephant, when full grown, is about ten feet high at the shoul- 
der. There is, however, good reason to suppose that the elephants of 
some countries attain to a considerably greater height. The writer 
of this Volume has seen great numbers of Bengal elephants : the tall- 
est was ten feet eight inches \ : it was of the Mergee or long-legged 
description : the tusks were of a very moderate size ; and the animal did 
not appear aged. It was caught, with thirty-six others, in the Cas- 
simpore woods, in the province of Dacca, Bengal. " The Nabob of 
Dacca had one ten feet high ; and the Nabob of Oude possessed one 
which measured correctly ten feet six inches §." 

* The female, seventeen years in the menagerie of Louis XIV. the skeleton of 
which is in the museum at Paris, has larger tusks than any we have known of an 
Indian male or female of the same height. — Cuvier. 

t Cuvier; Corse; Rees's Cyc; Bowdich ; Phil. Trans. No. 326. 

% It must be added, that this is given from memory; but he is certain that it 
was the tallest elephant which he had ever seen. 

§ Hamilton's Gazetteer, p. 821 . 

LLL 



442 WEIGHT, LENGTH, AND CURVATURE OF TUSKS. 



CHAP. 
XV. 



OF THE TUSKS. 



Elephants shed their milk tusks the first or second year, when 
they are about two inches in length, but are not known to shed the 
second tusks. 

Tusks are related to have been of the extraordinary weight of three 
hundred and fifty pounds, a single one : and many have been known 
of two hundred pounds weight *. 

" The tusk is, in its alveolus, like a nail driven into a plank ; no- 
thing retains it there except the elasticity of the parts which inclose 
it. We may change the direction of the tusks by gentle pressure. 
The tusks of an elephant were brought so close together as to con- 
strain the motion of its proboscis : we separated them by means of a 
bar of iron, the middle of which was in the form of a vice f ." 

The degree of curvature of the tusks varies almost as much as the 
size of elephants. There is now in the museum of the Royal Col- 
lege of Surgeons, " a spiral or wreathed tusk, presented from the 
Royal African Company by Thomas Crisp, Esq. It is about an ell 
long: at the base a foot in circumference, from the thin edges whereof 
it is conically hollow for near half a yard. It is furrowed lengthways; 
the furrows do not surround it, as in the sea unicorn, but are parallel. 
"This tusk is not round, but somewhat flat J." 

* Rees's Cyc. " Ivory." Mr. Adams saw a tusk of a mammoth at Jakutsk 
« de la longuer de deux toises et demi (fifteen French feet) ; et qui avoit l'epais- 
seur d'une archine (twenty-eight inches English) pres de laracine: elle pesoit 
sept pouds," (two hundred and fifty-two pounds English). This, from its length, 
is a most rare and inestimable specimen, and perhaps the greatest curiosity of its 
kind in the world. 

f Cuvier. % Nehemiah Grew, p. 31. A. D. 1681 See Plate, page 295. 



DIFFERENT KINDS OF ELEPHANTS. 

" Cuvier knows, from Mr. Fabroni, that there is one of the same 
description in the Florence gallery*." Grew says, he will not deter- 
mine whether the tusk has been naturally twisted, or by art, having 
read, that they may be reduced to any shape by firef . 

In the museum of the Royal College of Surgeons, there is a tusk, 
smaller than Grew's, similar in shape : both of them are corroded, as if 
by disease. There is a pair of tusks in the same museum, slender, 
and very near a circle in form, between four and five feet in length. 
See the Plate, page 295. 

" Les defenses ne peuvent etablir de caractere certain, ni entre les 
especes vivantes, ni entre celle ci et l'espece fossile 

# # * * 

In the province of Tipera, there are three kinds of elephants. 

I. The Koomareah, called Dauntelah or large tusked. It is full 
bodied, short legged, strong, and large. 

II. The Mergee, long legged, tall, and weak, with a thin proboscis, 
the tusks not so long as the first kind. From these two breeds indis- 
tinct varieties are produced. 

III. The Mookna, whose tusks are quite small, and always point 
downwards, like those of the walrus. 

The females in general, of each kind, have the tusks so small as to 
be nearly hidden by the flesh of the trunk : but some females have 
tusks almost as large and long as the male Mookna. 

Elephants couple like other quadrupeds, and go with young about 
twenty-two months. They breed in their tamed state §. Formerly 

* Rees's Cyc. " Ivory." f Vide Pausanias, (Taylor's Edit.), Vol. II. p. 33. 
| Cuvier, Vol. IV. p. 176. 

§ Corse, Phil. Trans. " Elephants couple as the cow, or mare, and carry 
their young eighteen months." Arrian's Indian Hist. Ch, XIV. 

LLL 2 



443 



CHAP. 
XV. 



444 ELEPHANTS BEAR EXTREME COLD. — YOUNG ELEPHANTS. 

CHAP, it was thought unlucky to allow elephants to breed, but the Emperor 
^-y^j Akbar surmounted that scruple. The elephant lives about one hun- 
dred and twenty years*. 

The writer saw an elephant in Bengal, when it was only eighteen 
hours old: it was about thirty-three inches high, weak and tottering, 
but very playful; twisting in its proboscis a few blades of large grass f. 
It sucked with the mouth, not with the proboscis. 

Elephants swim well. Mountain elephants are the largest and 
most courageous. They will easily carry three or four thousand 
pounds weight, and will on occasion go as far in one day as usually 
requires six J. 

The elephants of Cochin China, and their tusks, are larger than 
those of Mosambique §. 

Elephants bear cold that kills men and horses ; we have seen in these 
notes, about thirty of these noble beasts encamped upon the ice with 
Hannibal upon the Little Saint Bernard ; and five hundred of them 
supporting the rigour of winter in the wars of the Emperor Ma- 
mood (A. D. 1007) against the king of Cashgar, when men and horses 
perished by excessive cold. 

The elephants that have been dissected and described by natural- 
ists are those of Senegal, Guinea, the Cape of Good Hope, in Africa ; 
and those of Bengal, in Asia. 

* Ayeen Akbari, Vol. I. p. 116. 

f Elephants, when young, are very playful. " When merchants bring- ele- 
phants to any place for sale, 'tis a pleasant sight to see them go along. There are 
old and young together, and when the old are gone by, the children run after the 
little ones, and leap upon their backs, giving them something to eat; but perceiv- 
ing their dams are gone forward, they throw the children off, without hurting them, 
and double their pace." Tavernier, Part II. B. I. 

t BufFon, XXVIII. p. 152 to 156. § Encyc. Brit. " Elephas." 



LENGTH OF THE HAIRS OF ELEPHANTS. 445 

CHAP. 
XV. 

OF THE HAIR OF ELEPHANTS. 

The writer has been favoured, by the proprietor of the menagerie 
in Exeter Change, with several hairs taken from the large male 
elephant. One from the fetlock, a light brown colour, thicker than 
the hair of the human head, five inches and a half in length. 

One from the top of the head, black, as thick as horse hair, two 
inches and nine-tenths long. 

One from the under lip, also like horse hair, black, and three inches 
and a half in length. And one from the front of the proboscis, black, 
about twice the size of horse hair, three inches and four-tenths long *. 
These were taken hastily, as opportunities offered, and were not the 
longest. 

A female elephant died at Dundee, April 27, 1706, and the skeleton 
was prepared by Mr. P. Blair, Surgeon. It was eight feet six inches 
high, and supposed to be twenty-seven years old. 

" The cuticula was covered all over with a strange sort of scab, 
like short pieces of whalebone, much divided, but adhering fast: they 
were from one-sixteenth to one-sixth of an inch in length; I take 
them to be a distemper from the coldness of the climate. The hairs 
are every where pretty long, some two, some three inches: — in places 
subject to rubbing, an inch, or only half an inch. There are passages 
for them through the cuticula: they arise from the cutis; they are 
black, and many of them stiffer than those in a hog f ." 

" In some scraped off particles of the skin of an elephant, I dis- 
covered short small hairs. I saw two hairs on one of the particles, 



* See Plate, page 295. 



t Phil. Trans. N°. 326. 



446 COLOUR OF ELEPHANTS. 

CHAP, but by means of a microscope I discovered four. The yearly shedding 
v^-v-*^ of the matter that is upon the skin, may be thus accounted for : when 
the time comes that there is no increase of the hair, but that it is, as 
it were, at a stand, as we see in other creatures that shed their hair, 
the same thing happens to the elephant *." 

" It may be observed that, in propriety, the life and growth of hairs 
is of a different kind from that of the rest of the body, and is not im- 
mediately derived therefrom. It is rather of the nature of vegetation. 
They grow as plants do out of the earth, or as some plants shoot 
from the parts of others; from which though they draw their nourish- 
ment, yet each has, as it were, its several life and a distinct economy. 
They derive their food from some juices in the body, but not from the 
nutricious juices of the body; whence they may live, though the body 
be starvedf ." 

With respect to the colour of elephants. Monsieur Vaillant men- 
tions having seen some of a red colour, but it was very probably 
caused by the colour of the earth where the animals had been wal- 
lowing. 

The white elephants, for the possession of which so many kings 
have lost their lives and dominions, are apparently of the same nature 
as the albinos, diseased irregular productions, such as frequently occur 
in many animals. The writer happens to possess an old coloured draw- 
ing of a very fine elephant, which he conjectures, from the appearance 
of the natives attending it, to have belonged to a king of Pegu. The 
whole of the proboscis, great part of the cheek and ear, and a large 
proportion of the chest are what is termed white. It is in reality a 
flesh-colour, with a rosy hue, and covered with numerous black spots. 
The remarkable circumstance attending this painting is, that the 



* Leeuwenhoek. Phil. Trans. N°. 336. 



t En eye. Brit. "Hair." 



COUNTRIES WHICH CONTAIN ELLPHANTS. 447 

pupil and the iris of the eye are red, which is perhaps the case with C ^y P * 
all animals unnaturally white*. 



OF WILD ELEPHANTS, AND OTHER ANIMALS, AND 
THE COUNTRIES THEY INHABIT. 

Elephants are found in their wild state in most parts of Hindostan, 
particularly in the neighbourhood of the Nepal mountains ; in the 
province of Tipera, the coast of Malabar, and many other places. 

India beyond the Ganges abounds with them: they are found in 
Assam, the Burman empire, Pegu, Siam, Tonquin, Cochin China, 
Laos, Cambodia, the Chinese provinces of Yunnan and Quangsi, the 
frontiers of the kingdom of Boutan near to Great Tartaryf, and Tan- 
gut %. In the islands of Ceylon, Sumatra, Java, and Borneo. 

In Africa, wild elephants are found in Abyssinia, Ethiopia, and the 
country of the Troglodytes §, Dar-Fur||, Bornou**, in Senegal, and 
southward to the Cape of Good Hope, both on the west and east 
coasts. And anciently in Lybia beyond the Syrtes ff, Mount Atlas, 
and other parts of Gsetulia§§. 

* See Soninis' Buffon, Vol. XXVIII. p. 274. 
f Tavernier, Part. II. B. I. p. 96. 

% Petis de la Croix, p. 358, and 368. In D'Anville's great map, improved by 
Bolton, Tangut begins in N. Lat. 30°; (now Lat. 30° is Assam). 
§ Brown's Travels in Africa. 
|| Rees's Cyc. "Dar Fur ; " and Brown's Travels. 

** "Herds of elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, and antelopes of various kinds are 
every where seen, and especially on the borders of the Lake. Major Den ham 
says, he counted forty-seven large elephants in one group." — " Crocodiles and hip- 
popotami abound : and an animal in these lakes, called Om Kergay, is mentioned 
by Burckhardt; it is said to be as large as a rhinoceros, with a very small head and 
mouth, and perfectly harmless." Quarterly Review, December, 1823, pp. 52i, 
523. tt Cuvier, p. 74. 

§§ The vallies of Mount Atlas are diversified with forests and plentiful springs; 



448 



A KEDDAH OF ELEPHANTS. 



CHAP. Elephants are captured either singly, by means of the females, and 
then it is always males that are taken ; or else in droves, being fright- 
ened into a large enclosure of trees, so arranged as not to be visible to 
the animals, as a trap, till they are conducted into it. It is in Hindos- 
tan called a keddah, and has been accurately described by Mr. Corse. 
The writer passed through Tipera, when a keddah of, he thinks, 
eighty-three had been captured a few weeks, and he rode several 
miles to view it. The animals were then picketed in a plain near the 
keddah, at a convenient distance from each other ; there was not one 
of a very large size. Some were unruly, and required to be occasionally 
pricked with an iron spike at the end of a long bamboo. In their exertions 
to free themselves from the ropes round their legs, many had wounded 
the skin ; and some suffered severely from swarms of flies settling upon 
the ulcerated parts ; to keep them off, the attendants shook and rattled a 
bamboo split at one end into slender canes. Some of the elephants 
were roaring lustily ; and many of them were, with their trunks, toss- 
ing about large plantain leaves and stems, and, probably, to keep off the 
flies, covering their heads and backs with the coarse grass with which 
they were supplied, in abundance, for food. 

a country fit for the maintaining of elephants. The inhabitants are called "Fileli." 
They are from Arabia Felix. Fil is the Arabic word for elephant. Elephants' 
tusks are exported from Morocco: but may be conveyed thither by the caravans 
from Soudan. Can there be elephants now inhabiting the extensive range of the 
Jltlas mountains? Perhaps no modern European traveller has visited the coun- 
tries on the south and east neighbourhoods of Mount Atlas, but they could scarcely 
be unknown to the French and English consuls, if there were elephants in those 
regions. Vide Rees's Cyc. " Atlas. Tafilet. Morocco." Gsetulian archers 
fought with Pompey's eighteen elephants, in the amphitheatre, (B. C. 55); they 
being used to hunt and kill them. Catrou, Vol. VI. p. 127. Pliny, B. VIII. Ch. 
VII. The countries about Senegal and the Niger, were by some called Melano- 
o-£etulia and Nigritia. Nothing positive can be known about the bounds of Gaetulia. 
There is a great desert between Morocco and Senegal. 



EGYPT.— SYENE.— DAR-FUR. 449 

CHAP. 
XV. 



ON THE NUMBERS OF ELEPHANTS. 



In Bornou, we have seen, that Major Denham counted forty-seven 
elephants in one group. In Dar-Fur, they are seen in herds of four 
or five hundred ; and sometimes, it is reported, even of two thousand*. 
In Assam, five or six hundred may be procured in one yearf . In 
Siam, they capture as many as a hundred and forty at one time %. In 
Ceylon, a hundred and sixty have been taken in one keddah §. The 
Subah of Bengal is said to have furnished annually, in Akbar's reign, 
four hundred and fifty-two elephants, of which number the Circar of 

* See Rees's Cyc. Dar-Fur; and Brown's Travels. The Romans were most 
probably supplied from Ethiopia, called Nubia by the Arabs, and sometimes by 
the Romans, (now Bornou, Abyssinia, and Dar-Fur), through the port of Syene; 
of which place Juvenal, the satirist, was governor, in the reign of Domitian, who 
kept herds of elephants in the Rutulian forests. 

" But now, such strange caprice has seized the great, 

They find no pleasure in the costliest treat, 

Unless wide yawning panthers, towering high — 

(Enormous pedestals of ivory, 

From teeth the ./Ethiopian realm supplies (a), 

Or Indian, or from those of larger size, 

Which, now too old, too heavy for the head, 

The beasts in Nabathean (Z>) forests shed) — 

The spacious orbs support: then they can feed, 

And every dish grows delicate indeed !" — Juvenal, Sat. XI. 

(a) " Quos mittit porta Syenes." " Syene was the capital of the Insula Ele- 
phantina, so called from the number of its elephants." — Madan's Juvenal, Sat. XI. 
note 124. 

(h) Meaning Eastern, (from Italy). 

f Sir William Jones's Supplement, Vol. I. p. 232. 
+ Embassy of the Chevalier Chaumont. 
§ Le Bruyn, Vol. II. p. 184. 

MMM 



450 



TUSKS OF FIFTEEN THOUSAND ELEPHANTS. 



Sylhet supplied one hundred and ninety, and the Circar of Ghoraghaut 
fifty, and Sunargong two hundred : besides three hundred and twen- 
ty-three from the Subah of Allahabad : two hundred and twenty from 
the Subah of Agra: ninety from Malwa, &c. *. There is scarcely any 
limit to the number that might be collected by an Asiatic or African 
monarch f. 

Elephants are now not made use of in warfare, except for carrying 
their owners and the tents and baggage. The monarchs of Oude 
keep a great number for hunting expeditions ; even at the present day 
more than a thousand : which is shewn in Ch. VIII. of this volume, 
with many instances of the numbers formerly kept, generally much 
exaggerated, but at the lowest number that need be credited amount- 
ing to vast establishments. 

More than fifteen thousand " half reasoning elephants," were slain 
to supply Great Britain with knife handles and toys, in eleven years, 
from 1788 to 1798. According to an account delivered to the House 
of Commons eighteen thousand nine hundred and fourteen cwt. of 
ivory, were imported. — See Rees's Cyc. " Ivory." Seventy pounds 
weight are allowed for each tusk, which is probably much more than 
the average weight. ' 

* Ayeen Akbari, Vol. II. pp. 30, 39, 48, 185, 18.S, 189, This edition of the 
Ayeen Akbari, p. 16, says, Bengal supplies one hundred and seventy elephants: 
the above is taken from the detail of the Circars: but another edition says, Bengal 
supplies one thousand one hundred and seventy. See Ayeen Akbari, 4to. by Glad- 
win, dated Calcutta, 1777, printed iu London. 

f At Angola, where Andrew Battell lived many years, he relates that the 
natives have idols of wood, in the midst of their towns. They are called Mokisso, 
and are fashioned like a negro, At the foot of the idol is a vast number of ele - 
phants' tusks, three or four tons of them, stuck in the ground, and upon them 
were set the skulls of men slain in the wars, as a token of victory. Purchas, Vol. 
I. p. 869, B. 



SIX SPECIES OF THE RHINOCEROS. 451 



CHAP. 
XV. 



OF THE COUNTRIES OF THE RHINOCEROS, HIPPO- 
POTAMUS, AND OTHER WILD BEASTS. 



In Asia. — The one-horned rhinoceros is found in the Panjab; in 
Guzerat ; in the Sunderbunds of Bengal, and other parts of Hindostan ; 
in the Birman empire; Siam; Cochin China; Quangsi in China*; 
and, probably, in all the countries called " India beyond the Ganges f 
in Java; Sumatra, &c. The rhinoceros with two horns is found in 
Sumatra, and is described by Mr. Bell in the Philosophical Transac- 
tions, 1793. 

In Africa. — " It is certain that the one-horned rhinoceros is found 
towards Cape Gardafui, by the straits of Babelmandel ; and, if the na- 
tives are to be believed, the one-horned is found also in the kingdom 
of Adelf ." " In the royal stables at Ispahan there was a rhinoceros 
with one horn. It was brought for the king by an ambassador from 
Ethiopia J." The two-horned rhinoceros, which was frequently exhi- 
bited by the Romans §, is known to inhabit Abyssinia, Congo, Angola, 
the Cape of Good Hope, and other countries in Africa. " The rhino- 
ceros brought by Mr Campbell from the interior of Africa, as far as 
respects the appearance of the horns, is entirely a new species. The 
horn is a yard long, very small at the point, and two feet in circumfer- 
ence at the base : the small horn is close to it, and stands up perpendi- 
cularly behind the base of the long one, and is only twelve inches 
high, while its circumference at the base, is twenty- four inches ||." 

* Abbe Grosier, Vol. I. p. 112. f Bruce's Travels, Vol V. p. 85. 

£ Sir John Chardin's Travels. 

§ See Rees's Cyc. " Rhinoceros," where it is said there are five species: that 
described by Sir E. Home makes a sixth. See also Martial's Epigrams. 
|| Sir Everard Home, Phil. Trans. 1821. 

M M M 2 



452 COUNTRIES OF WILD BEASTS. 

CHAP. Hippopotamus — is found in Senegal*, Abyssinia, Dongola, Dar-Fur, 
v^-v-*^ Bornouf, and many parts of southern Africa. Also in the Nile in 
upper Egypt : sometimes in lower Egypt. Two were killed near Da- 
mietta, A. D. 1600 J. They are not known to inhabit Asia. In a 
French translation of Pallas, Vol. V. p. 204, the walrus is named 
Hippopotamus. — See Ch. XVI. of this Vol. 

Ostriches. — Numidia, Dar-Fur, Bornou, and numerous other places. 

Tigers. — Senegal §, Hindostan, Chinese Tartary, the Altai moun- 
tains, and many other parts of Asia||. 

Lions, Leopards, Panthers. — India, Persia, Abyssinia, Bornou, 
Morocco, Dar-Fur, and many other parts of Africa and Asia. 

Buffaloes — are found in most parts of India, and many parts of Asia 
and Africa. In Pegu they are of a monstrous size**. 

Hycenas. — Hindostan, Persia, Asia Minor, Syria, Barbary, Abyssi- 
nia, Dar-Fur, &c. 

Asses. — Plentiful in Persia and Armeniaff. 

Zebras. — Congo, Abyssinia, and other parts of Africa % %. 



* Adanson. 

t The river Sliary empties itself by two branches into the lake Tsad. Croco- 
diles were basking on the banks, fish and water fowl abounded, and the huge hip- 
popotami came so near as to be struck with the paddles. — Quarterly Review, 
LXII. March 1825. 

t Rees's Cyc. " Hip." Bruce, Vol. V. p. 85. 

§ Adanson. " What are called Tigers, in Morocco, are leopards. The royal 
tiger is there unknown."— Chenier, Vol. I. p. 171. The first tigers seen by the 
Romans, were those presented by the Indian ambassadors to Augustus, while he 
was at Samos. — See Crevier, "Augustus." This may be deemed a proof that 
tigers are not known in Africa. 

|| Leopards, panthers, &c. are frequently called tigers by travellers. 

** Purchas, Vol. I. p. 56G. B. 

ft Xenophon, Exp. of Cyrus, p. 27; and SirR. K. Porter's Travels, with an 
engraving of one. 

tt Mod. Univ. Hist. Vol. VI. p. 185. Lobo, Vol. 1. p. 291. Rees's Cyc. 



REEM.— UNICORN.— CAMELOPARD. 



Camelopards. — Siam in Asia*, Senegal, Abyssina, Bornou, Dar- 
Fur, the Cape of Good Hope, and other parts of Africa. The Meem, 
translated in the book of Job unicorn, is most probably the camelopard, 
which must have been known to Job. Bruce remarks that Meem, in the 
Hebrew and Ethiopic, is derived from erectness, or standing straight; 
and he supposes that it alludes to the upright position of the horn, as the 
rhinoceros has bending knees. The commentators on Job, Chapter 
XXXIX. and on Numbers, Ch. XXIII. v. 22, think that the original 
means wild bull, goat, antelope, &c. The camelopard was probably 
not known to the translators; it is but recently that it has been 
accurately known. Heliodorus speaks of the camelopard being 
brought, among other presents, by the Ethiopian ambassadors to 
Rome. They were often exhibited at the games after Egypt belonged 
to the Romans. 

Bears — were found in perhaps every part of the continent of 
Europe, and also in Africa and Asia. Bears' flesh was much esteemed 
by the ancients as food, and is still served up at the tables of princes. 
The Emperor of China will send a hundred leagues to procure bears 
for an entertainment. The fur has always been valuable. The Ur- 
sarii were servants in great families among the Romans, who had the 
care of breeding and feeding these animals. The English nobility had 
officers of this kind : the fifth earl of Northumberland paid one of 
them a salary of twenty shillings f. In early times it is not improba- 
ble that bears were fed and bred by the barbarous nations of Germany 
as ordinary food. 

* Vincent Le Blanc, p. 115. As I have not met with any other authorky, 
I venture to conjecture, that those mentioned by Le Blanc had been imported 
from Africa, for the parks of the sovereigns. 

f Rees's Cyc. " Bear's flesh," and " Bear wards." — The Romans exhibited 

Numidian bears See Beloe's Herodotus, Melpomene, CXCI. and note 188 ; 

and Cb. XI. of this Vol. 



454 



CHAPTER XVI. 



On the Fisheries in the Arctic Seas, of the Walrus, ( the Mammoth 



J. HE Trichechus Rosmarus is generally known by the names, wal- 
i rus, morse, morsch, sea-horse. It is sometimes called sea-lion, sea- 
ox, horse-whale, and sea-elephant. By the Samoyedes it is named Ti- 
ute*. By the eastern and other Siberians, Behemotf and Mam- 
moth j. 

* Tooke's Russian Empire, Vol. III. p. 91. 

f Miischkin Puschkin, Vaivode of Smolensko, and Intendant of the Chancery 
of the government of Siberia, A.D. 1685. — Vide Father Avril's Travels, p. 176. 

X "The Russian Mammoth certainly came from the word Behemot. It is current- 
ly believed by the Siberian populace, that mammoths were amphibious crea- 
tures." — Strahlenberg - , p. 404. " The Russians drive a great trade to Pekin in the 
teeth of a sort of fish, which are much finer, whiter, and more precious than ivo- 
ry." — Du Halde, Vol. II. p. 263. A note at the bottom of the page adds, " they 
are those called mammut's teeth, found lately to be teeth of elephants." This note 
was probably added by the translator. " A great many mammoths' teeth, which 
are white, are carried for sale to China." — Strahlenberg, p. 402. 



of Siberia), and the Narwal. Surprising numbers of these 

Animals. -Description of the Walrus by the Emperor 

Kang-hi. 



THE WALRUS. 




SIZE OF THE WALRUS 



DESCRIPTION. 

Five toes to each foot, diminishing from the great toe to the small 
one, on the fore feet; but the great and small toes are the longest on 
the hind feet, and the intermediate the shortest : the fore feet enve- 
loped in the skin of the body as far as the carpus ; the hind feet enve- 
loped almost to the heel; short tail 

It surpasses the largest bulls in size, attains twenty-four feet in 
length*, and is covered with a yellowish close fur. The lower jaw is 
without incisives and canines; in the upper jaw are two enormous 
tusks, pointing downwards. Grinders, like short cylinders cut 
obliquely, four on each side, above and below, two of the upper falling 
at a certain age ; two incisives, like grinders, between the canines ; 
and between these, (in young individuals), two small and pointed inci- 
sives. The enormous sockets, necessary for their tusks, curl up 
the fore part of the upper jaw, in the form of a large swelled muffle : 
these tusks receive a pivot from the bases of their alveoli, or sockets. 

They appear to live on sea-weed and animal substances, and inha- 
bit every part of the frozen ocean. The ivory is said never to change 
its colour ; it is granular, and presents small close round spots. That 
of the elephant and mammoth is reticulated in a lozenge f . 

The tusks of the walrus are found in great numbers along the shores 
of the Arctic sea. There are two in the museum of the Royal College 
of Surgeons in Lincoln's-inn- fields, which appear to be about two 
feet long. At Schalanginski, among the Tschudski, where the num- 

* " Ce paisibile ampbibi a quelques fois plus tie vingt quatre pieds de 

longueur." Levesque, Vol. VI. p. 21 . 

f Bowdich, " Mammalia," p. 42. Mammoth here means the fossil elephant. 



455 



156 GREAT NUMBERS AND SIZE OF WALRUS TUSKS. 

CHAP, ber found is great, and, they affirm, detached from the animal, they are 
XVI. . 

v-^V^ sometimes twenty-nine and thirty pounds weight, and an ell and a 
half long, (meaning probably the Russian ell, or archine, which is 
twenty-eight inches English*). BufFon observes that "le morse a 
deux grand es defenses d'i voire comme l'elephant, auquel il resemble- 
roit en entier par cette partie capitale, s'il avoit une trompef." The 
morse is bred in the Russian seas, and climbs upon the rocks by the 
help of his tusks, in order to seek his food J. It is said to feed also 
on dead whales §. 



FISHERIES OF THE WALRUS. 

" The elder Gmelin has circumstantially described the vast extent 
of the haunts of the morse in his Travels, torn. III. p. 165. They 
begin about the Kurilly Islands, are found in the parts contiguous to 
Behring's Island; and in general throughout the whole of the Russian 
Archipelago ; proceeding thence towards the Anadyr, and the Tschuts- 
kian promontory, ( where are found an astonishing quantity of morse 
teeth, which leads Gmelin to believe that they retire into these unfre- 
quented regions for shedding their large old tusks for young ones); 
and they are found in swarms all along the coasts of the frozen ocean, 
as far as Greenland. Hermann's Statistische Schilderung von Russ- 
land, p. 254 || . 

* BufFon, Vol. XXXIV. p. 162. Encyc. Brit. « Trichechus." Harris's 
Voyages, Vol. II. p. 487. Travellers, in general, speaking' of ells, and being of 
different nations, it is impossible to know the measure which they allude to. 
When the ell is not specified, it is presumed to mean that of Russia, when the re- 
mark relates to that country. 

t Vol. XXIV. p. 159. % Milton's Historical Works, Vol. II. p. 133. 

§ Strahlenberg, p. 19. [j Tooke, Vol. III. p. 100. 



KING ALFRED.— WALRUS FISHERY. 

From Yakutsk vessels go to the mouth of the Lena to get narwal 
and whale oil ; the natives pretend to be descended from the Mongols 
and Calmucs. * * * 

The towns of Tangviskoi and Mungaseja are on the Nijnaya Ton- 
guska, not far from the Jenesai ; they drive a great trade by land in 
furs, sea horse and mammoths' teeth ; and from these two towns, they 
send out several vessels to the mouth of the river and the sea coast, 
to fish for sea horses and seals -\. 

# * # * 

" Octher, the Norwegian, made a report to king Alfred, about the 
year 890, of the chace of the walrus ; having made a voyage beyond 
Norway for the fishing of horse-whales, which have in their teeth bones 
of great price and excellency, whereof he brought some, at his return, 
unto the king. In fact, it was in the northern world, in early times, 
the substitute to ivory. The morse feeds on sea herbs and fish, also 
on shells, which they dig out of the sand with their teeth, which they 
also make use of to ascend rocks or pieces of ice, fastening them to 
the cracks, and drawing their bodies up by that means. Besides man- 
kind they seem to have no other enemy than the white bear, with 
whom they have terrible combats; but generally come off victorious, 
by means of their great teeth 

* * * * 

We caught and killed one fish whose head was so large, that his 

t Isbrandts Ides, Vol. II. pp.957, 958. This probably means walrus and ele- 
phants. On another occasion this author calls the morse tusks sent to China by 
the name of mammoth See Harris, Vol. II. p. 928. 

% Encyc. Brit. " Trichechus. 

N N N 



457 



458 CHERRY ISLAND.— ENGLISH FISHERY. 

C XVI P * grea> teeth wei & hed ' eacn of tnem > twenty-nine or thirty pounds 
(French) f. 

# * * * 

Cherry Island (so called in honour of Sir Francis Cherry) lies south 
of Spitsbergen, where in one season the crew made twenty tons of oil 
out of the flesh, and got three hogsheads of morses' teeth. In 1610, 
the Russia Company took possession of it, and that year they killed a 
thousand morses, and made fifty tons of oil. They discovered three 
lead and coal mines upon this and the small islands near it. Towards 
the end of June the pitch ran down the sides of the ship with the 
heat of the weather. The island abounds with wild fowl, seals, and 
bears; but has not been visited the last hundred years. In the reign 
of Alfred there was a profitable fishery in these seas J. 

* * # * 

" We saw many morses swimming near our ships, and heard withal 
so huge a noise of roaring, as if there had been a hundred lions. 
For all we could do, out of above a thousand, we killed but fifteen. I 
found a tooth, and, going a little farther, found as many more as filled 
a hogshead ; all which we did deliver to Master Welden." 

" Under a large cliff upon the beach we found near a thousand morses. 
We killed thirty, and took off their heads §." 

* * * * 

t Voyage des pays Septentrionaux de M. de la Martiniere. A. D. 1671. 
% Harris's Voyages, Vol. II. p. 389. 

§ Voyages of Jonas Poole to Cherry Island, about 1604 to 1609 — Purchas, Vol. 
III. 557. 



KING JAMES.— A LIVING WALRUS. 459 

" The morse teeth, taken about Petchora, are almost two feet long, CHAP. 

5 XVI. 

and weigh eleven or twelve poundsf ." k^-^-^j 

* * * * 

The teeth of the walrus have been found in the earth about Ana- 
dirski, and are larger than the common sort from Archangel, Kola, and 
Greenland. Quantities of their hones are found on the coasts of the 
northern sea %. 

* * * * 

The ninth day we got one tierce of morses' teeth, besides four hun- 
dred other teeth. We brought a young living morse to court, where 
King James, and many honourable personages, beheld it with admira- 
tion. It soon died. It was of a strange docility, and very apt to be 
taught §. 

* # * * 

There are annual expeditions from Mezen, near Archangel, to No- 
va Zembla. for morses' teeth ||. 

In north latitude 68° 1', longitude 188° 30' we sent our boats in 
pursuit of the sea horses, which were in great numbers on the 
pieces of ice that surrounded us. Our people returned with three 

f Dr. Fletcher, ambassador from Queen Elizabeth to the Emperor Theodor. — 
Purchas, Vol. 111.413. 

% Encyc. Brit. " Siberia." Goldsmith's Nat. Hist. These are what have been 
reported to Pallas, Billings, and others, as mammoth remains. 

§ Voyage of R. Stevens, of Harwich, to Cherry Island, in 1608. — Purchas, Vol. 
III. p. 560. The skeleton of this animal may probably be found in or near Lon- 
don. Others may have been brought to England when these fisheries were pur- 
sued. || Levesque, Vol. VI. p. 21. 

N N N 2 



460 CAPTAIN COOK.— COAST OF SIBERIA. 

CHAP, large ones and a young one, besides killing and wounding several 
^0^-^/ others. On the approach of our boats towards the ice, they all 
took their cubs under their fins, and endeavoured to escape with 
them into the sea. Several, whose young were killed or wound- 
ed, and left floating on the surface, rose again and carried them down, 
sometimes just as our people were going to take them up into the boat, 
and might be traced bearing them to a great distance through the 
water, which was coloured with their blood : we afterwards observed 
them bringing them, at times, above the surface, as if for air, and again 
diving under it, with a dreadful bellowing. The female, in particular, 
whose young had been destroyed and taken into the boat, became so 
enraged, that she attacked the cutter, and struck her two teeth through 
the bottom of itf . 

$F "ifc "sfe ifc 

The principal objects of the sea chace, about Spitsbergen and 
Nova Zembla are whales and morses, a toilsome and dangerous 
trade. 

The people who go out to catch the morse, are hired by a ship owner, 
fitted out with provisions and other necessaries, and they receive a 
share of what they take, or else five or ten rubles for the summer. 
They usually carry out a year's provision, as they are often obliged to 
pass the winter on board their ships, which are provided with an 
oven, wood, and water, with which, when they go ashore, they prepare 
quas. When the morse catchers are happily arrived at their destina- 
tion, they anchor near the huts which have been left by their prede- 
cessors in this hazardous warfare. They commit themselves to the 
small boats, of which every vessel takes one or two, and proceed to the 



t Captains Cook and King's Voyage, Vol. IN. p. 247. 



IMMENSE HEAPS OF WALRUSES KILLED. 



461 



conflict. The first fine day they usually find morses on the land or CHAP, 
the ice, where those monsters go to cast their young, and remain a 
month or two, frequently in prodigious numbers. These fat animals 
emit a horrid stench. 

When the captors have reached this formidable encampment, they 
quit their boats, armed with pikes : they cut off the retreat to the sea, 
and pierce those morses which come first to save themselves in the 



As these animals scramble over one another in their attempts to es- 
cape; from the numbers of the slain, there soon arises a bulwark, 
which effectually choaks up the passage to the living; and there the 
captors proceed to the slaughter, till they have not left one alive. 

It sometimes happens that so great are the heaps of the dead, that 
the vessels can only contain the heads or the teeth; the fat, blubber, 
and skins, are then left behind. 

Easy as it is to kill these animals on land, the conflict is dangerous 
in their own element. When any escape into the water, the captors 
leap upon the ice, and harpoon them, if they can, in the breast or belly. 
They then drive a stake into the ice, and tie the harpoon-cord to it, 
drawing the animal about till he is exhausted, when they kill him out- 
right. 

When the morses are so near the water as to leap in ere the at- 
tack begins, the captors fasten the cord, when they have thrown the 
harpoon, only to the head of the boat; which is then drawn by the huge 
animal so deep into the water, that the sailors must all run a-stern. 
Then the morse rises erect upon the surface of the water, and makes a 
furious attack ; sometimes he is so successful as to shatter the boat with 
his long stout tusks, or to throw himself suddenly, by a leap, into the 
midships. The crew then jump overboard, and hold by the gunnel, 
till other morse-hunters come to their assistance in this desperate 
situation. 



water. 



MAMMOTHS ARE AMPHIBIOUS. 

Of the morse skins are made traces for carriages, horse harnesses, 
&c. and excellent size for paper manufactories. A pood of morse teeth 
costs upon the spot twenty or thirty rubles. In 1793, the exports by 
sea from all the ports amounted to one hundred and ninety poods of 
mammoths' bones and morse tusks, value six thousand one hundred 
and thirty- six rubles. 

The frozen ocean likewise teems with the narwal and many other 
animals valuable for their skins or their blubber f . 

# * * * 

At Malone the track for horses is generally finished, though the na- 
tives do sometimes go as far as Nishney Kolymsk, on the Kolyma, and 
even to the frozen sea, in search of sea horse and mammoths' tusks. 

On one day the Tschuktchi were particularly flush of sea horse teeth, 
and they were at a reduced price. Another day, they brought four or 
five hundred, and bartered them J. 

* * * * 

" The Russians, says Father Avril, have discovered a sort of ivory 
which is ivhiter and smoother than that which comes from the Indies; 
not that they have any elephants, but other amphibious animals, which 
they call by the name Behemot%, and which are usually found in the 
river Lena, or upon the shores of the Tartarian sea. 

f Tooke's Russian Empire, Vol. 111. B. X. 

% Capt. Cochrane's Pedestrian Journey, pp. 233, 263, 268. (Elephants tusks 
have been found in those regions; but in Chap. XV. it is seen what an uncommon 
occurrence it is). Captain C. when he heard the word mammoth, would no doubt 
conclude that it alluded to the elephant. 

§ Behemot is by the Russians corruptly pronounced Mammoth. Strahlenberg-, 



462 

CHAP. 
XVI. 



SIBERIANS FLOATED TO AMERICA UPON ICE. 



463 



Several teeth of this monster were shewn us at Moscow : they were CHAP. 

XVI. 

ten inches (French) long, and two in diameter at the root; nor are the v-^-V-^-. 
elephant's teeth comparable to them either for beauty or whiteness. 
The Persians and Turks who buy them up, prefer a scimitar or dagger- 
haft of this precious ivory, before a handle of massy silver or gold. 

They were beholden for the discovery of this to the inhabitants of a 
certain island, out of which, they say, issued the first colonies that ever 
peopled America. Thus much we learnt on this subject from Musch- 
kin Puschkin, Vaivode of Smolensk©, a person of as great wit as a 
man can well meet with, and perfectly acquainted with all the coun- 
tries that lie beyond the Oby, as having been a long time Intendant 
of the Chancery of the government of Siberia. 

With regard to America, " there is " said he, " beyond the Oby, a 
great river called Kawoina, into which another river empties itself, by 
the name of Lena*. At the mouth of the first river that discharges 
itself into the frozen sea, stands a spacious island very well peopled, 
and which is no less considerable for hunting the Behemot, an amphi- 
bious animal, whose teeth are in great esteem. The inhabitants go 
frequently upon the side of the frozen sea to hunt this monster, and, 
because it requires great labour and assiduity, they carry their families 
along with them. Now it many times happens, that, being surprised 
with a thaw, they are carried away I know not whither, upon huge 
pieces of ice, that break off one from another. 

p. 403. It does not appear that Father Avril was acquainted with the discovery 
of the bones of elephants. 

* The geography of Siberia was at that time not known. The Kovima is 
many huudred miles from the Lena. The mouth of the Lena was discovered in 
1636. (Levesque, VIII. 12). This conversation was in 1685. Muschkin Puschkin 
had been a long time Intendant ; which makes it probable, that when walruses 
were named Behemots, elephants' remains had not attracted the notice of Euro- 
peans; it is they, and not the Siberians, who name elephants mammoths. See 
Strahlenberg, p. 403. 



464 FIRST VOYAGE TO THE KOVIMA. 

CHAP. For my part, added he, I am persuaded that several of those hunt- 
ers have been carried upon these floating pieces of ice to the most 
northern part of America, which is not far off from that coast of Asia 
which juts out into the sea of Tartary. What confirms me in this 
opinion is this, that the Americans, who inhabit that country which 
advances farthest towards that sea, have the same physiognomy as 
those unfortunate islanders, whom the over eager thirst after gain ex- 
poses, in that manner, to be transported into a foreign countryf ." 

* * # # 

The first voyage from the Kovima was in 1646, under Isaac Ignatief, a 
native of Mesen. In a bay, latitude 72°, they met with some of the 
Tschuktchi nation, but would not venture on land. They spread their 
commodities on the shore, of which the natives took what they pleased, 
and deposited in their place Walrus teeth, and articles made of that 
species of ivory. In the voyage of Deshnef, a few years afterwards, 
towards the Anadyr, the Tschuktchi had piled up on the west side of a 
river, a number of whales' bones, or, according to other reports, they 
are the tusks of the walrus. They are raised in the form of a tower. 
— Rees's Cyc. "Asia." 

* * * # 

The Chinese appear to have been long acquainted with this animal 
and its ivory. " A kind of flying rat," says the Abbe Grosier, " is 
seen near Keon-onoi: it is larger than the common rat, and has wings 
like those of the fox, already mentioned. 

A much more extraordinary rat, called the fen-chou, is found beyond 

f Father Avril's Travels to discover a new way by land to China; p. 176. 
He was sent by Louis XIV. 



THE WALRUS DESCRIBED BY THE EMPEROR KANG-HI. 465 

the Tai-tong-kiang, upon the coast of the northern sea, which is al- CHAP, 
most always frozen. This animal is shaped like a rat ; but it is as k^^^j 
large as an elephant. It inhabits obscure caverns, and carefully shuns 
the light. The ivory it furnishes is as white as that procured from the 
elephant; but it is much easier to be worked, and never splits. 

An ancient Chinese book, called Chin-y-Mng, speaks of this animal 
in the following words : — " There is in the northern extremities, 
amidst the snow and ice which cover the country, a cJwu (a rat) 
which weighs a thousand pounds: its flesh is very good for those who 
are overheated. Another kind, of a less size, is also mentioned, which 
is only as large as a buffalo : it burrows in the earth like a mole, flies 
from the light, and remains almost always shut up in its subterranean 
retreats. What we have here related is extracted from a printed col- 
lection of observations, by the celebrated Emperor Kang-hi f ." 

* * * * 

The following extract is from the Baron Cuvier's great work, and is 
more interesting and decisive, from these mammoths having been seen 
alive upon the plains, in the year 1571. 

Les Chinois nomment les comes de mamouth tien-schu-ya (dents de 
tien-schu). On trouve dans la grande histoire naturelle Bun-zoo-gann- 
mu composee au XVI. siecle, que l'animal nomme tien-schu, dont il 
est deja parle dans l'ancien ouvrage (du V e . siecle avant Jesus Christ) 
sur le ceremonial, entitule Ly-Ki, s'appelle aussi tyn-schu ou yn-schu, 
c'est a dire, la souris qui se cache. 

f Grosier's China, Vol. I. p. 568. The Chinese have long known Siberia for the 
sake of the ivory, furs, and hawks and falcons, which are of very ancient use. It 
is supposed that the ancient Germans learned falconry from the Scythians. See 
Strahlenberg, p. 361. 

000 



466 LIVING MAMMOTHS IN SIBERIA. 

CHAP. II se tient continuellement dans des cavemes souterraines ; il resem- 
XVI. 

v-**~v-^ ble k une souris, mais egale en grandeur un boeuf ou un buffle. II n'a 
point de queue, sa couleur est obscure. II est tres fort et se creuse 
des cavernes dans les lieux pleins de rochers et de forets." 

Un autre ecrivain cite par celui la, s'exprime ainsi, " Le tyn-schu 
ne se tient que dans des endroits obscurs et non-frequentes. II meurt 
si tot qu'il voit les rayons du soleil ou de la lune : ses pieds sont courts 
a proportion de sa taille, ce qui fait qu'il marche mal. Sa queue est 
longue d'une aune Chinoise. Ses yeux sont petits et son cou courbe. 
II est fort stupide et paresseux. 

Lors d'une inondation aux environs du fleuve Tan-schuann-tuy (en 
Pannee 1571), il se montra beaucoup de tyn-schu dans laplaine, ils se 
nourissoient des racines de la plante fu-kia." 

Ces details curieux, sont extraits d'une note communiquee a l'Aca- 
demie de Petersbourg par M. Klaproth et imprimee par M. Tilesius, 
dans les memoires de cette Academie. t. V. p. 409. 

M. Klaproth dit aussi dans cette note, q'ayant consulte un manu- 
scrit mantscliu il y trouva ce qui suit: w L'animal nomme fin-schu, ne 
se trouve que dans les regions froides, aux bords du fleuve Tai-tunn- 
giann, et plus au nord jusqu a la mer septentrionale. II resemble a. 
une souris mais est aussi grand qu'un elephant. II craint la lumiere 
et se tient sous terres dans des grottes obscures. Ses os sont blancs 
comme de l'ivoire, se laissent ais^ment travailler, et n'ont point de 
fissures. Sa chair est d'une nature froide, et fort saine *'." 

* * * * 

The Yakutes, on the Lena, are formed of three powerful people : 



* Cuvier, p. 142. 



GREAT ANTIQUITY OF WALRUS FISHERIES. 46 

Mongols, Tartars, and Manjours. The last are now, since 1644, upon 
the throne of China. All the three, at times, have invaded and con- 
quered that empire : nothing is therefore more probable, or rather cer- 
tain, than that the above alludes to the walrus, and the river Lena. 
See Levesque, Vol. VII. p. 437. Neither Mr. Adams, Pallas, Strah- 
lenberg nor even Levesque make mention of the Lena fishery of the 
walrus. Levesque alludes to the fishery at Novaia Zemlia, of this ani- 
mal. Pallas, Vol. V. p. 204, says, " Lorsque les Samoiedes sont a la 
proximite des cotes de la mer, ils prennent les hippopotames et les 
veau marins qui se placent sur les rochers voisins du rivage, ou sur la 
glace." Pallas describes the latter but makes no further mention of 
the first, which were no doubt walruses. This extract is from the 
translation of his original German work. The reader is requested to 
compare the above Chinese history with the first five pages of Chap. 
VI. and he will perceive what extraordinary confusion and errors 
have proceeded from calling both the morse and the elephants, &c. by 
the name of mammoth. It thus appears that the Chinese have been 
acquainted with the walrus two thousand three hundred years ; for 
there can be no doubt of the above being that animal: and we here 
perceive that the fanciful stories about this animal have been trans- 
ferred to the elephant by Strahlenberg, Isbrandts Ides, Bell, and others, 
who would never credit the Siberians, who told them that mammoths 
are amphibious animals. 



ON THE NARWAL. 

The narwal or narwhal, monodon, monoceros, sea unicorn, or sword 
fish, is sometimes more than twenty feet long from the mouth to the 
tail ; and at once distinguishable from every other species of whale, 
ooo 2 



468 THE NARWAL DESCRIBED. 

by its very long horn-like tooth, which is generally straight, of a white 
or yellowish white colour, spirally wreathed throughout its whole 
length, and gradually tapers to a sharp point. 

The horn or tooth measures from six to ten feet in length, and pro- 
ceeds from a socket on one side of the upper jaw, having a large cavi- 
ty at its base or root, running through the greater part of its whole 
length. In young ones, and sometimes in those that are full grown, 
there are two teeth, but in general the narwal is found with a single 
tooth, the socket of the other being closed, or at most but obscurely 
visible ; and now and then the appearance of a second tooth, in an ex- 
tremely small state, or just beginning to emerge, is perceptible, as if 
intended by nature to supply the place of the other, if broken or cast. 

It is commonly seen in the small open or unfrozen spots, to- 
wards the coasts of the northern seas. To such places the narwals re- 
sort in multitudes for the conveniency of breathing, and because they 
are sure to find near the shores a due supply of food. 

They are taken by means of harpoons. The flesh is eaten by the 
Greenlanders raw, boiled, and dried; the intestines and oil are also 
used as food ; the tendons make good thread : and the teeth serve the 
purpose of hunting horns, as well as that of building tents and houses *. 

There are several narwals' horns in the museum of the Royal Col- 
lege of Surgeons, London ; some are bent like a cork-screw pulled 
nearly straight. 



The narwals are caught in prodigious numbers, near Kamtchatka f , 
at Weygat's Straits J, and in most parts of the Arctic seas. 



* Vide Ree's Cyc. " Monodon." f Le Biuyn, Vol I. p. 138. 

X Dc la Martiniere. 



A THRONE OF NARWALS' TEETH.— QUEEN ELIZABETH. 

" On the 20th August, 1728, they saw forty persons on board four 
small boats, they were Tschudskois. They had with them dried fish, 
fox skins, and four narwal's teeth, which they exchanged for pins and 
needles, with the seamen. These people said, that they travel with 
their rein deer as far the river Kovyma, and one of them said he had 
been at the foot of Anadirski f ." * . * * 

" The horns are sometimes found near the mouth of the Lena, and 
at Kamtchatka. I have seen at Tobolsk one of these twisted horns 
which are often put in the shop windows of druggists, three Russian 
ells long J." 

The horn of the narwal has been found in the earth, near the rivers 
Indigerska and Anadir §. 

* * * * 

A throne, made for the Danish monarch, is said to be still preserved 
in the castle of Rosenberg, composed entirely of narwals' teeth, the 
material being anciently esteemed more valuable than gold J | . 

* * * * 

" They found a great dead fish, round like a porpoise, twelve feet 
long, having a horn five feet ten inches long, growing out of the snout, 
wreathed, and straight like a wax taper; and might be thought to be 
a sea-unicorn: the top of it was broken. It was reserved as a jewel 
by Queen Elizabeth's commandment in her wardrobe of robes, and 
is still at Windsor to be seen**." 

f Captain Behring, in Harris, II. 1020. % Strahlenberg, p. 380. 

§ Encyc. Brit. " Siberia." Strahlenberg, pp. 380, 405. There is part of a fos- 
sil narwal's horn in the museum in Lincoln's Inn Fields. 
|| Shaw's Zoology, Vol. II. part. II. p. 476. 

** Sir Martin Frobisher's Voyage, in 1577. Purchas, Vol. 1. 917. B. Thesehorns, 
like those of the rhinoceros, were much valued as supposed antidotes to poison, 



ERRORS RESPECTING NUMBERS. 

* * * * 

The horns of the narwal have contributed their share to increase 
the misapprehensions about the numbers of mammoths' horns said to 
have been found. They are about the same length as those of the ele- 
phant, are found in the earth, in the same regions, and are spirally 
twisted. 



470 



CHAP. 
XVI. 



471 



CHAPTER XVII. 



On the rapid changes which the surface of the Earth undergoes 
from Floods, Earthquakes, and other Causes. 

The object of this chapter is to endeavour to prove, that, in conse- CHAP. 

XVII 

quence of the changes to which the surface of the earth is subject v^-^— ^. 
from floods of rivers, earthquakes, and other accidents, it is very diffi- 
cult to form a satisfactory decision as to the causes of the depths or 
situations in which the fossil bones of animals have been buried. 



It has been remarked that we should commence our researches in 
geology, with subjecting to a careful examination what nature pro- 
duces, as it were, under our own eyes ; such as the manifold alterations 
that have taken place in the physiognomy of tracts of country, almost 
within the memory of man. How scanty are the genuine observations 
we possess on the process of alluvial deposition! on the detritus accu- 
mulated at the foot of mountains by means of the decomposition of 
various rocks ! How little do we know of the process employed to 
produce petrifactions ! and yet many of these will admit of consider- 



INUNDATION IN PEMBROKESHIRE. 

able elucidation, by applying to them sound principles of logic and 
inductionf." 

* * * * 

Camden, out of Giraldus, reports that a part of Pembrokeshire an- 
ciently ran out, in the form of a promontory, towards Ireland ; as ap- 
pears by a speech of king William Rufus, " that he could easily with 
his ships make a bridge over the sea, so that he might pass on foot 
from thence into Ireland." This tract of ground being all buried un- 
der deep sands, during the reign of Henry the Second, was, by the 
violence of a mighty storm, so far uncovered, that many stumps of 
great trees appeared fastened in the earth, and the strokes of the axe 
upon them, as if they had been cut but yesterday; so that it now made 
a show of a wood, rather than a strand. Such is the wonderful change 
of all things J. 

* * * # 

A vast tract of land at the eastern mouth of the Ganges, (where for- 
merly stood the city of Bangalla, a place of great antiquity), has disap- 
peared in a short period. 

Extensive islands are formed in the channel of the Ganges during 
an interval far short of that of man's life. The Cosa, equal to the 
Rhine, once ran by Purneah ; its junction now is forty-five miles higher 
up§. 

* # # * 

" The evident state of decay prevailing in these calcareous moun- 



472 



f Rees's Cyc. " Geology." J Bishop Hakewill's Apology, p. 34. 

§ RennelPs Memoir, pp. 57, 265. 



REMARKABLE CHANGES AT HADRIA. 473 

tains, the divided rocks fronting the eminences, and the whole situa- CHAP. 

XVII. 

tion, render it probable that the river Belbec anciently flowed through v^^-^^,^ 
the valley of Kara-Has, which is at present watered only by a small 
stream of the Souk; and though the former now runs at a consider- 
able distance from this place, yet its current is so powerful and rapid, 
that it may in past ages have dissevered the heights above mentioned f. 

* * * * 

" An inundation at Dagenham, in Essex, made a breach in the 
Thames wall one hundred yards wide, and twenty feet deep in some 
places ; by which means a number of trees were laid bare, which had 
been buried for many ages : one was a large oak, with most of its bark 
and some of its head and roots: the others were alder, or horn-beam: 
one had the sign of an axe; its head had been lopped off. Many think 
they have lain in that state since Noah's flood, but I think them to 
be ruins of some later age J." 

" The city of Atria, also called Hadria, we are certain, was formerly 
on the edge of the coast; it is now fifteen miles and a half distant from 
the nearest part of the mouth of the Adige ; and the extreme point of 
the alluvial promontory is farther advanced into the sea six miles §." 

On a reconnu a Hadria, actuellement Adria, l'existence d'une couche 
de terre parsemee de debris de poteries Etrusques, sans melange d'au- 
cun ouvrage de fabrique Romaine. L'Etrusque et le Romain se 

t Pallas. Journey in the Crimea. $ Phil. Trans. No. 335. 

§ M. Prony. Supplement to Cuvier's Theory of the Earth. 

PP P 



474 DEEP SNOWS AND FLOODS IN SIBERIA. 

CHAP, trouvent meles dans une couche superieure, sur laquelle on a decou- 
v.^-y-^' vert les vestiges d'un theatre, l'une et l'autre couche sont fort abaissees 
ail dessous du sol actuel *. 

# * * * 

The Keta falls into the Oby, and winds so frequently as to astonish 
the traveller, when at night he perceives how near he is to the place 
he left at noon. The natives use dogs to draw their sledges, they can- 
not use horses, the snow being sometimes a fathom deep upon the 
Oby f . The borders of the Tobol are low, and subject to be overflow- 
ed in the spring, yet they are inhabited by Mahomedan Tartars and 
Russians 

# * # * 

" The last overflowing of the Volga formed a new bank of seven 
feet high above the common bed of the river §." * * * 

When the snow melts, the Oby, Jenesai, and Lena, swell to such a 
degree, as to become torrents, and carry away with them considerable 
pieces of mountains ||. 

# # # \ * 

" My route lay along the Colyma, Zysanska, Omekon, Okola, and 
Indigerska, all of of which are large, rapid, dangerous, and almost im- 

* Cuvier. 

f The reader may judge, by the quantity of snow, what immense inundations and 
rapid torrents must take place in spring. Milton (Historical Works, Vol. II. p. 
135) mentions, that the Jenesai, on the western side, overflows about seventy 
leagues. 

J Isbrants Ides § Captain Cochrane's Journey, p. 84. 

II Abul Ghazi, Vol. II. 658. Strahlenberg, p. 124. 



COINS, &c. FOUND UNDER ELEVEN STRATA. 475 

passable rivers. It is but twenty years since the present centre of ^j^^ - 
the river was the centre of the city of Selinginskf . 

In 1788,, near Aix in Provence, in quarrying limestone of a deep 
grey, and soft, but which hardens in the air, the strata were separated 
from each other by a bed of sand mixed with clay. After the first ten 
beds were removed, the inferior surface of the eleventh, at forty-five 
feet deep, was covered with shells : the stones of this bed being re- 
moved, under a stratum of argillaceous sand, stumps of columns, and 
fragments of stones (like the quarry) half wrought, were found ; and 
also coins, handles of hammers, and a board one inch thick and seven 
feet long, broken, but the pieces all there, and could be joined : it 
was like the boards used by quarry men, and worn in the same man- 
ner. The stones had not been changed, but the pieces of wood were 
changed into agate J. 

* * * -* 

" There was found in the year 1714, upon sinking a well on the 
top of the hill, near Tobolsky, sixty-four fathoms deep in the earth, an 
oaken beam, quite black, not round, but shaped. 

It happens every year that the sea swells so high on the east side 
of Tartary, in the bay of Lama, near the habitations of the Koraeiki 
and Lamuti, that whales and other great sea animals are carried up into 
several rivers, and, when the water falls, are left upon the shore §." 

* * * * 
t Capt. Cochrane, pp. 335, 473. 

% Count Bournon. Phil. Mag. Vol. LVI1. p. 458. § Strahlenberg, p. 405. 
P PP 2 



ELEPHANTS' BONES BURIED BY AN EARTHQUAKE. 

During the battle gained by Hannibal at Thrasymene there was an 
earthquake which overthrew large portions of many cities in Italy, 
turned rapid rivers out of their course, and levelled mountains f. 

* * * * 

Cunusium, in Apulia, where Hannibal was defeated, and five of his 
elephants were killed J, was destroyed by an earthquake in 1694. §. 

* * * * 

Pisa is only four miles from the sea; its port was anciently at the 
mouth of the Arno. According to Strabo, the Ausar flowed into the 
Arno at Pisa, though it now falls into the sea, at the distance of at 
least ten miles from it. Rees's Cyc. " Pisa." 

* * * * 

" There is no country upon the globe which is not subject to earth- 
quakes. The histories of all times record an immense series of them. 
There is hardly a month, week, or perhaps a single day unmarked by 
their devastations. Seneca, Strabo, Callisthenes, Pausanias, Pliny, 
Thucydides, and others, mention a variety of stupendous effects pro- 
duced by earthquakes, either preceding or during their lifetimes ; such 
as the separation of mountains, the appearance and disappearance of 
islands, the destruction of a great many cities, some of which were en- 
tirely swallowed up. Under the reign of the Emperor Gallienus, A. D. 
264, the greatest part of Italy was shaken; various fissures of the 



476 



T Livy, B. XXIT. + Livy, B. XXIII. 



§ Rees's Cyc. " Canosa. " 



NUMEROUS EARTHQUAKES. 



477 




human beings. 

In the year 365, the shores of the Mediterranean were left dry, 
but the tide soon returned with the weight of an immense and irresist- 
ible deluge, which was severely felt on the coasts of Sicily, Dalma- 
tia, &c. 

During the reign of J ustinian, each year is marked by earthquakes : 
enormous caverns were opened, the sea alternately advanced and re- 
created, a mountain was torn from Libanus. 

In the kingdom of Naples, near the Avernian lake, a hill rose and 
was formed by the accession of ignited matter, in one night, in height 
one thousand one hundred and twenty-seven English feet from the 
level of the sea. 

In the year 1783, there were, in Calabria, five hundred and one 
shocks, of the first degree; two hundred and thirty-six of the second; 
three hundred and seven of the third and fourth degrees; besides five 
great commotions, which shook, altered, and destroyed the whole face 
of the country. The interruption of rivers, in consequence of the 
fall of hills and the alteration of the ground, caused unappreciable 
damage f ." 



There is a cause of change on the surface of the earth, which has 
not, as far as the writer is acquainted with the subject, been sufficient- 
ly regarded : the most obvious causes are sometimes the last which 
attract notice. It is dust. The operation of this agent is so slow in 
its progress, that it does not excite much attention : but, on reflection, 
it will be found a powerful one, when local circumstances favour it. 
In caves, meadows, marshes, ponds, rivers, &c. so situated as to retain 



* 



* 



f Rees's Cyc. " Earthquakes. ' 



478 



IMPORTANCE OF DUST AND SAND. 



CHAP, the dust blown into them, it will be easily allowed that a sixteenth of 
^~v-*-^ an inch in depth may be accumulated in one year : which in a century 

would be six inches. Have any fossil remains been found, in caverns, 

like that at Kirkdale or in other places, covered with the accumulated 

dust of the surrounding soil? 

If we consider the more rapid effects of sand, we may well suppose 

that an oasis in Africa is the top of a hill, standing in a once fertile 

country. 



Sand, by being Mown in, has probably principally contributed to fill 
up the branch of the Oxus, which formerly discharged its waters into 
the Caspian sea * ; and rivulets must often change their courses from 
this cause. 

Many more instances of the mutations of the surface might be 
produced : but those contained in this chapter are deemed sufficient 
to show, how difficult and hazardous it is to judge of the cause of fos- 
sil bones having been buried in any particular place; either by their 
depth, or by the strata with which they are covered. 



* It has been said, that this branch of the Oxus was designedly impeded, from 
political motives. 



479 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



Erroneous Notions respecting Giants, Mammoths, Extinct Spe- 
cies of Quadrupeds, and Spiral Tusks. Concluding Re- 
marks. 

GIANTS AND MAMMOTHS. 

The wonder and mystery connected with the discovery of large fos- CHAP. 

XVIII 

sil bones, have existed from the earliest times, arising, no doubt, from v^-^^L, 
the sciences of anatomy and osteology not having been studied by the 
ancients * The merit of dissipating these errors will be due to the 
laborious and valuable accuracy of very modern authors, and to the 
Baron Cuvier in particular. 

The bones of whales and elephants, till within a century or two, 
have been imagined and believed to be the remains of giants. This 
notion would have been confirmed in the minds of those attached to 
the marvellous, if the skeleton of the child with the head of an elephant, 
born at Rome in the year 209 before Christ f, had been discovered in 
the seventeenth century, without its being known that it was a lusus 

* "Augustus adorned his palace at Caprese with the huge limbs of sea-monsters 
and wild beasts, w hich some affect to call the bones of giants, and the arms of old 
heroes." — Suetonius, LXXII. 

t Catrou, Vol. III. p. 362. 



GIANTS AND MAMMOTHS. 

natures. The particulars of the resemblance are not stated : but the 
accuracy of modern naturalists would have detected the truth. 

Since the introduction of the equivocal word Mammoth, giants are 
no longer thought of. Whales, elephants, narwals, mastodontes, wal- 
ruses, and even oxen or buffaloes, are now all mammoths f . A very 
few instances of giants will suffice. Sertorius %, being in Lybia, found 
there buried the body of Antaeus, being sixty cubits in length. 

In the fourteenth year of the Emperor Henry II. the body of Pallas, 
the companion of /Eneas, as it was thought, was dug up at Rome. It 
was found in height to equal the walls of that city §. 

In Asia Minor and Syria the ancients pretend to have found giants' 
bodies. The pretended body of Geryon, found in Upper Lydia, was 
probably an elephant's. Pausanias relates that great horns, (tusks, no 
doubt), are often discovered there. He also mentions a body eleven cu- 
bits in length, found in the bed of the Orontes, near Antioch||. With 
respect to elephants' bones, in particular, the mistakes have been very 
numerous 4>. 

* # * * 

" We very justly suspect, (that which Suetonius hath not spared to 
write), that the bones of huge beasts or sea monsters both have, and 
still do pass current for the bones of giants. When Claudius entered 
this island, he brought with him a mighty army both of horse and foot, 
as also elephants, whose strangeness then amazed the Britons, and 
whose carcasses falling in this land, their late bones found, no doubt, 
have bred our error, being supposed to be of men, and not beasts. A 
very notable story to this purpose we have recorded by Camerarius, 



f See Buffcn, Vol. XXVI J T. p. 233; and Chap. VI. of this Vol. 

% Plutarch. § Hakewill's Apology, p. 225. 

|| Cuvier,p. 152. 4. Parkinson, Vol. III. 341. 



EXTINCT SPECIES. 481 

who reports that Francis the First, king of France, being desirous to CHAP, 
know the truth of those things which were commonly spread touching 
the strength and stature of Rouland, nephew of Charlemagne, caused 
his sepulchre to be opened, wherein his bones and bow were found 
rotten, but his armour sound, though covered with rust ; which the 
king commanding to be scoured off, and putting it upon his own 
body, found it so to fit him, as, thereby, it appeared that Rouland ex- 
ceeded him little in bigness and stature of body, though he himself 
was not exceedingly tall or stout *." 



EXTINCT SPECIES. 

It has frequently, on the examination of fossil bones, been pro- 
nounced that the species to which they belonged are extinct. The gene- 
ral reader finds himself much puzzled to apply an accurate meaning to 
the word species. 

The ferocious powerful bull-dog, and the gentle diminutive spaniel, 
are of the same species ; as are likewise the Shetland and the Flanders 
horses. If naturalists meant that word to signify that animals are of 
different species, because they will not perpetuate a breed, they have 
not always used it in that decisive sense; and, moreover, it is now 
known that the dog and the wolf will breed, and that hybrids thus 
produced, are capable of having offspring. The same is the case with 
the horse and the ass, as has been ascertained in New Holland. 

" Let us examine two elephants, the most dissimilar that can be con- 
ceived, we shall not discover the smallest difference in the number and 
articulation of the bones, the structure of the teeth, &c.f ' 



* Bishop Hakewill's Apology, p. 43. f Cuvier. Theory of the Earth, p. 118. 

QQQ i 



482 EXTINCT SPECIES. 

XVUl' There are two species of living elephants described, named by 
v^-v-^y Cuvier Capensis and Indicus ; for the full description of which the 
reader is referred to Chapter XV . 

The very slight and imperfect knowledge which we possess of living 
elephants, has shown, that in the single district of Tipperah, there are 
three kinds. 

I. Short-legged, full-bodied, thick-tusked, strong elephants. 

II. Long-legged, thin-bodied, thin-tusked, and weaker. Many in- 
distinct varieties are produced by the intermixture of these two breeds. 

III. Males, the tusks of which are like those of females, and some- 
times scarcely protrude beyond the flesh of that part of the proboscis 
which covers them ; these tusks always point downwards. 

The African female skeleton in the museum at Paris (the ani- 
mal was seventeen years in the menagerie of Louis XIV.) has larger 
tusks than any Indian male of the same height. 

Le Vaillant speaks of a race of elephants which never have 
tusks. 

For the following reasons it cannot, on our imperfect information, be 
fairly concluded that tlie fossil kinds are extinct. 

I. There are perhaps thirty large kingdoms in Africa, the living 
elephant of which has not been seen by naturalists. 

II. There are many parts of Hindostan, particularly the North- 
ern, the living elephant of which has not in modern times been brought 
to Europe. 

III. There has probably never been brought under the examina- 
tion of naturalists an elephant from Malacca, Sumatra, Siampa, Cambo- 
dia, Cochin China, Siam, Laos, Tonquin, Yunnan, Quangsi. Pegu, 
Burmah, Silhet, Assam, Tangut ; most, if not all of them, were subject 
to the Grand Khans, (Kublai and his grandson, Timur Kaan), whose 
great armies invaded Siberia for thirty years. There are perhaps fif- 



EXTINCT SPECIES. 



483 



ty extensive countries in Africa and Asia, which possess wild ele- CHAP. 
J * XVIII. 

phants ; not a single molar tooth of which has ever been seen by Eu- K^-y-^ 

ropeans. 

IV. There has never been a large full grown male elephant brought 
to England or France, since they were used by the Romans, for wars 
and sports: those now brought in ships, are five or ten years old, and 
do not live to attain a full size. Those brought for the purpose of 
war, were probably forty, fifty, or more, years old. Elephants attain 
the age of one hundred and twenty years, and perhaps, in modern 
times, there has never been one in Europe of the age of forty. 

V. The very first specimens of living elephants, not from Africa or 
Hindostan, which have come under the eyes of naturalists, are from 
Ceylon; and the jaws of two elephants were found to differ in shape: 
also, " Monsieur Camper possede une machoire de Ceylon qui s'ecarte 
heaucoup de celle de l'espece vivant dont nous avons parle jus 
qu'ici *." 

VI. Among the grinders from Hindostan, lately presented (in 1824) 
to the Royal College of Surgeons, there is one which is more like the 
African specimens than any hitherto seen. 

VII. If we confine ourselves strictly to the definition " that there is 
no difference in any two elephants in the number of bones, or structure 
of the teeth," as in the dog and the horse, then are there more than 
one species ? Is not each sort only a variety ? 

VIII. The curvature of the tusks, in some fossil specimens, has been 
deemed as indicating a different species; and yet males in India, with 
tusks scarcely beyond the flesh of the proboscis, and always pointing 
downwards, and females in Africa with tusks larger than those of In- 
dian males of the same height, are not called different species. 



* Cuvier, p. 185. 
Q QQ2 



484 



ANCIENT EGYPTIANS DESCRIBED—ALEXANDRIA. 



CHAP. Does scientific arrangement admit the difference in the surfaces of 
^t-y-^L; the grinders to form a distinct species; and at the same time exclude 
from that privilege the remarkable contrariety in the direction of the 
growth, and in the sizes, both of the tusks of the males and of 
the females? Or, does the number of nails decide the species? or the 
shape of the skull? 

The numerous and unknown kinds of living elephants, and the 
little additional knowledge acquired by modern researches, make 
it appear quite unphilosophical to pronounce fossil remains to be 
of extinct species; for it may, with great apparent probability, be 
concluded that the Romans and Moguls did not, either of them, pro- 
cure their elephants from those countries, which have supplied natural- 
ists with the specimens from which that inference has been drawn. 

Senegal may probably have furnished the Carthaginians with ele- 
phants: Gaetulia is, however, the country named. 

Egypt* was a Roman province for above six centuries f, during the 

* The ancient Egyptians were very different from the modern. When the 
Emperor Adrian was in Egypt, he wrote a letter to the consul Servianus. " The 
Egyptians are an inconstant, light people. Those who worship the god Serapis 
are nevertheless Christians, and those who call themselves Bishops, are also vota- 
ries to Serapis. When the patriarch of Alexandria comes hither, he is by some 
obliged to worship Serapis; by others, Christ. They are seditious, vain, and in- 
jurious. No one lives idle in Alexandria : every one appears to follow some art, 
such as making glass, paper, or linen: the gouty in hand or foot find something 
that they can work at, and even the blind are employed. I have restored to this 
city its ancient privileges, for which they thanked me while I was present; but I 
was no sooner gone, than they spoke a thousand things against me: so I leave them 
to their eggs and chickens, which how they hatch, (that is, in a dunghill), it is a 
shame to mention. A priest gave me three cups of changeable colours: I dedi- 
cate them to you and my sister for festival days; and take care that your young- 
son does not handle them too roughly, and break them." — Augustan Hist. Satur- 
ninus. 

t From the conquest by Julius Caesar, B. C. 48, to the reduction of Egypt by 
Amrou, the general of the Caliph Omar, A.D. 640: at which period Alexandria 



INTERIOR OF AFRICA. 485 

rage for amphitheatrical games*. Augustus, by his lieutenant Pe- ^S^' 
treius, subdued countries much to the south of Egypt ; Nubia and the ^>y^ 
kingdom of Meroe submitted to the Romans f. 

The same arguments may be applied to induce the belief that it is 
equally hazardous to pronounce the fossil rhinoceroses to have belong- 
ed to extinct species; from the epigrams of Martial, we find that the 
Romans possessed both the single and the double horned kinds. 

It must be particularly borne in mind, that the Romans procured 
their animals from the interior of Africa, and by land from northern 
India, while Europeans now bring those animals from the coasts of 
those countries. 

It has been said, that, " the hyaena, elephant, rhinoceros, and hip- 
popotamus, found in the cave at Kirkdale, belong to species that are 
now extinct, and to genera that exclusively live in warm climates ; 
and which are now found associated only in the southern part of Africa, 
near the Cape J." Were we to seek the animals agreeing with the 
Kirkdale list, they might be found forty or fifty degrees of latitude 
nearer than the Cape is to Kirkdale: either at Senegal, Bornou, Dar- 
Fur, or Abyssinia : with the remarkable exception of the tiger, which 



contained four thousand palaces, twelve thousand shops for the sale of vegetable 
food, forty thousand trihutary Jews, four thousand baths, and four hundred thea- 
tres or places of amusement. — Letter of Amrou to Omar. Africa, south of Egypt, 
was known by the Romans in the reigns of Augustus and Adrian as far as Lat. 14° 
South.— See Esprit des Loix, Liv. XXI. Ch. X. 

* The Emperor Aurelian, in his letter to the Senate, says, " We have defeated, 
taken, and killed Firmus, the Egyptian robber, (he had assumed the purple in the 
remains of Zenobia's country) ; there is no more now, my Romans, to be afraid of. 
The tribute of Egypt, which that wicked robber had suspended, will now come 
entire to you. Entertain yourselves at the pastimes and shows of the circus. — 
Bernard, Vol. II. p. 304. 

f See Bruce, Vol. I. p. 477. Rees's Cyc. " Abyssinia." 

X Quarterly Review, JLVH. p. 147. 



486 TIGERS PECULIAR TO ASIA. 

CHAP, is supposed to be " peculiar to Asia*." Adanson relates, that there 
XVIII. 

^—v—w^ are tigers in Senegal : but Chenier, the French consul, says, that what 
are called tigers in Morocco are only leopards, the royal tiger is there 
unknown f . 

The fossil grinders of elephants do not resemble those of the Bengal 
and African living kinds ; therefore, it cannot be admitted that the ani- 
mals of the south have formerly lived in the north, their species not 
being perfectly identical J. The Nyl-gau is but recently known to 
modern Europe. The Om-Kergay, mentioned by Burckhardt §, will 
probably turn out to be an animal supposed extinct. Under all these 
circumstances, is it not in such cases more just and safe to say, that 
" the true analogous living animal is not Jenown \\" than to pronounce 
it extinct, whether it be reckoned by naturalists a species or a variety 9 



SPIRAL TUSKS. 



In the accounts of tusks, or horns, as they are generally named, 
which have been found in Siberia, it is often remarked, that they were 
spiral. This word has not a precise meaning; and in the inquiries 
made by Europeans, among the Ostiacks and Tungusians, regard- 
ing the number and shape of the tusks, teeth, or horns; the word, or 
even the description, of spiral, will apply to the elephant, the morse, 
and the narwal; tusks or horns of all of which are frequently found 
in a fossil state, in Siberia j.. 

* Rees's Cyc. " Felis." 

f Present state of Morocco, Eng. Ed. Vol.1, p. 171. The first tiger seen by 
the Romans was presented to Augustus by the Indian Ambassadors. — Crevier, 
"Augustus." See p. 335 of this Vol. t Rees's Cyc. " Bones." 

§ Quarterly Review, LVIII. page 521. || Cuvier. 

+ In Chap. XV. it has been shown that the ivory used in Britain, in eleven 



SPIRAL TUSKS. 

In Todd's Edition of Johnson's Dictionary we find, 
" Spire. — 1. A curve line; any thing wreathed or contorted, every 
wreath being in a different plane; a curl; a twist; a wreath. 

2. Any thing growing up taper ; a round pyramid, so called, per- 
haps, because a line drawn round and round in less and less circles 
would be a spire; a steeple. 

3. The top or uppermost point. 

Spiral. — Curve; winding; circularly involved like a screw. 

The European travellers, whose inquiries have been about elephants 
and spiral tusks, have no doubt considered all the replies from the 
Siberians as confirmatory of elephants' tusks being meant ; and if those 
natives added their word mammoth, (with them the morse), no foreign- 
er would doubt it. Europeans did not ever think of inquiring if mam- 
moths were amphibious, but treated that assertion as ignorance. The 
errors every way relating to the whole of this subject are endless. 
" On a donne souvent pour ivoire malade des portions de dents 
canines de morse dont la texture est naturellement grenue. II y en 
a de decrites sous ce titre dans Daubenton lui meme f." 

# # * * 

Fossil ivory has been found very far back in history. There is no- 
thing to wonder at from this circumstance, when we see how very 

years, required thirty thousand tusks. How many elephants must be killed an- 
nually to supply the vast empire of China! It may be presumed that there are 
several elephant countries adjoining that extensive empire, the tusks of which 
have never been brought to Europe. If there be a race of elephants, with what 
are called spiral tusks; or if among ordinary animals there sometimes are found 
individuals of that description, they would no doubt be carefully preserved for 
the Grand Khans, or as animals of superior value. 

f Cuvier, p. 49. 



488 BEASTS KEPT IN THE ENVIRONS OF CITIES. 

CHAP, much ivory was in use in king David's and Solomon's reigns; and 
v N-- J^-0 there can be no reason to suppose that it was then first introduced. 

—See Psalms, XLV. 8. 1 Kings, Ch. X. 18. Ch. XXII. 39. No 
fossil ivory can be mentioned till five or six hundred years afterwards : 
Herodotus, the first profane historian, having written his work 
B. C. 445. 

* # * # 

Female elephants, or young ones, rarely occur in the fossil state. 
This is as might be expected, as males only are employed in battle. 
Females led the way for Hannibal's elephants, when he found some 
difficulty in crossing the Rhone. They are employed to carry loads, 
and to keep the males tractable : but they were not likely to be found 
in such numbers as the males. Pyrrhus lost a battle at Beneventum 
through a young elephant and its mother. (See p. 293). 

* # * * 

We learn, from a passage in St. Chrysostom, that the beasts intend- 
ed for the public games were kept in the environs of the cities; and 
Procopius makes particular mention of a spacious place in Rome, called 
the Vivarium, appropriated to that use. Agreeing with this custom, 
we have seen that remains have been found at Kew, Brentford, Ilford, 
and Romford, near London. At Kirkdale, near York. At Walton, 
near Colchester. At the distance of three leagues from Verona. 
Three leagues from Placentia, Sec. This is too systematical to be ac- 
cidental. The natural deaths of the animals, at these places, in a few 
centuries, would account for great numbers of fossil remains. 

The reason why we so seldom meet with the mention of games and 
spectacles given by the Romans, is, that those historians, whose 



CITY JOURNALS IN ROME. 489 

works have reached us, deemed such subjects beneath their notice. CHAP. 

XVIII. 

" Few events during the second consulship of Nero, occurred worthy v — <L> 
commemoration," says Tacitus, " unless any writer liked to fill pages 
in magnifying the foundations and wooden structure of the new am- 
phitheatre. But to the dignity of the Roman people it belongs, that, 
in their history, should be inserted illustrious events only; and in the 
city journals such descriptions as these f." 

These city journals were posted in the streets of Rome. The writer 
has seen, he forgets in what book, a copy of one, which contains as fol- 
lows : " This morning, Caius Julius Caesar departed for Baetica in 
South Spain, having, since his appointment to that government, been 
detained in Rome by his creditors." 

We have also seen that it was the policy of Caesar, and probably of 
other generals not to diminish their fame by mentioning the merits 
of the elephants. 

* * * * 



It is more than two thousand years since elephants were brought 
by the Greeks and Romans into Europe; and how many animals since 
that time may have been, in different parts of Europe, exhibited for the 
sake of private gain? All these skeletons, whatever their number be, 
must be in existence. Those brought by land from Asia, before the dis- 
covery of the Cape, were probably large. 

An instance has scarcely occurred within the knowledge of the 
writer, of abstruse theorists ever attributing a fossil animal to this 
source. The number is possibly greater than all the remains that 
have been found. The same reasoning equally applies to other 
animals. 



f Tacitus, B. XIII. Ch.29. 

RRR 



490 SITUATIONS OF FOSSIL BONES. 

CHAP. It is usual, in Siberia, to attribute the remains of elephants to the in- 
XVIII. 

\^0-*s~^j vasions of Tamerlane; the writer does not claim one animal in Sibe- 
ria from Timur-Bec's wars in that country, but from those of Timur 
Kaan, a century before Tamerlane. 

After perusing Chapter XVII. and the following description of the 
situations in which fossil remains of quadrupeds have generally been 
found ; it will not appear very improbable that the lapse of five or six 
hundred years in Siberia, and of fifteen hundred or two thousand years 
in Europe, are sufficient to have placed them under the circumstances 
described by those who have discovered them. 



" The bones of species (of quadrupeds) which are, apparently, the 
same with those that still exist alive, are never found except in the 
very latest alluvial depositions, or those which are either formed on 
the sides of rivers, or bottoms of ancient lakes and marshes now dried 
up; or in the substance of beds of peat; or in the fissures and caverns 
of certain rocks ; or at small depths below the present surface, in 
places where they may have been overwhelmed by debris, or even 
buried by man. 

Ancient formations may have been transported into new situations 
by partial inundations, and may thus have covered recent formations 
containing bones; they may have been carried over them by debris 
so as to surround these recent bones, and may have mixed with them 
the productions of the ancient sea. The true character of their re- 
positories has almost always been overlooked or misunderstood by 
the people, who found these bones, not being aware of the necessity 
to be observant f ." 

t Cuvier. Theory of the Earth, p. 110. 



AFRICAN AND ASIATIC BONES MIXED 

* # * * 

Remains of African and Asiatic animals have been found in the 
same place — the hippopotamus and tiger at Kirkdale — tigers are not 
known, from any decisive authority, to inhabit Africa ; nor are hippo- 
potami found in Asia. 

At Walton, near Harwich, the hippopotamus, elephant, rhinoceros % 
&c. were found with the Irish fossil elk. Here we have animals of 
hot and cold countries mixed together. (Could the high prices which 
the Romans gave for all strange animals have caused the extirpation 
of the elk in Ireland ? One of these animals having been found, which 
had been wounded by an arrow or spear, it is no longer thought to 
be antediluvian f .) 

The rein-deer, along with animals of hot climates, has been found 
near Paris. These would, indeed, be odd effects of a diluvian opera- 
tion. With respect to the supposition, that England and France were 
once hot countries; how do the elk and rein-deer support that hypo- 
thesis ? But when we find that Severus lived at York, and that he is 
known to have possessed tigers, animals so rarely exhibited, and that 
he had a triumphal ceremony there, and that all the other bones are 
precisely of such animals as were usually employed in Italy % ; and, 
if we add to this the rein-deer found at Paris, where the Roman Em- 
peror Gratian had a park, and Scythian hunting friends from the 

* Both the one horned and the two horned were exhibited by the Romans. 

f Vast numbers have recently been found in Ireland. Seven adults and a 
small skeleton in one place. — See Mr. Weaver's letter in the Philosophical Trans- 
actions, 1S25, Part II* 

£ Severus had visited Memphis, the labyrinth, and pyramids, with great care, 
and was much pleased with his voyage into Egypt, because of the strangeness of 
the places and animals which he saw there. — Spartian. 

RRR2 



491 



492 LIVING WILD ELEPHANTS IN AMERICA. 

QHAP. Volga ; who can possibly doubt these animals being of Roman origin ? 
v^-v-^ Are not such historical facts preferable to any theory, however inge- 
nious? 

* * * * 

Captain Webb found some fossil bones of deer, small horse and 
bear, at an elevation of sixteen thousand feet, in the Hemalaya moun- 
tains f . The musk deer and the bear are natives of those regions ; 
and the horse called Tanyan, a small species, it is well known, is like- 
wise a native of Thibet J. There seems nothing more extraordinary 
in this, than there would be in finding fossil remains of wolves on the 
highest mountains in Britain, and of which in that island there must 
be great numbers ; they may possibly sometimes have been mistaken., 
by cursory observers, for hyaenas. 

-* * * * 

With regard to the mastodontes found with the other animal re- 
mains in Europe, if the arguments here offered be not overturned, 
the natural inference will be, that mastodontes are a species of ele- 
phant; and as likely not to be extinct as any of the other animals §. 

t Quarterly Review, LVII. p. 156. 

$ See Rees's Cyc. " Thibet." Rennell's Memoir, p. 2*25. 

§ Since writing- the above, there appears good reason to suppose that the most 
hopeless of the extinct elephants is now in existence. " Commenced preparations 
for my departure from Choco. In the evening made an excursion with Senor 
Zereso, Don Luis, and others, to a small hill commanding- the town ; when, the 
evening being tolerable, we had a fine view of a ridge of mountains, which divides 
this valley from the Pacific Ocean: their summits are entirely covered with snow. 
The smoke of a volcano is to be seen, which is situated on the other side of the 
summit of the mountains. From a small chain of hills, near to this range of 
mountains, with a good glass, have been seen numbers of the carnivorous elephants, 

• 



A FOSSIL ELEPHANT A WEEK OLD. 493 

A full sized elephant is as large as any of the mastodontes found in CjE^I*. 
America. v-^-v-^ 

* * * * 

Remains of elephants and other animals are sometimes met with in 
places where it is difficult to account for them by the vicinity of a 
Roman camp or city; but in whatever country amphitheatres have 
been in use, the beasts intended for the spectacles must have been 
conveyed from one place to another in all possible directions. 

* * * * 

One elephant has been found in Italy only about a week old f . As 
females attended the armies, and might be pregnant when caught, as 
elephants will breed in the tamed state, and as Domitian had a herd 
of them in the Rutulian forest, this is a very natural circumstance. 

« * * * 

The roving life of the Mongols, and their passion for the chase, have 
contributed to spread fossil bones. " From the Danube to the rising 
sun they have divided Scythia amongst them, every captain knowing the 
bounds of his pasture; in the winter, descending southward, and in the 



feeding on the plains which skirt these frozen regions. Their enormous teeth 
have occasionally been seen: but no one has yet succeeded in killing one of these 
animals, or, indeed, in getting near to them. There are great quantities of wild 
cattle in these plains, to kill which the Indians sometimes make excursions. This 
chain of mountains runs north-east and south-west." — Captain C. S. Cochrane's 
Journal in Columbia, Vol. II. p. 390. 

f Quarterly Review, LVII. p. 153. 



RHINOCEROS SENT A GREAT DISTANCE. 

summer, ascending northward*." The Mongols pass the summer on 
the banks of rivers: the winter at the foot of hills. In all times, and 
in all countries, they have gone northward during summer f . 

* * * * 

Rhinoceroses have been sent in presents to great distances. " The 
barbarians of the south, called Hoam-tchi, or yellow fingers, sent to 
Hiao-Pim-Hoam-Ti, great grandson of Yu-en-ti, a rhinoceros from the 
distance of thirty thousand li, in the year two of the Christian 
era J." This present was probably from Kanoge; the Punjab abounds 
with rhinoceroses. The distance by land would be very great, in con- 
sequence of the mountains, but could not be near so considerable as 
that mentioned : or probably the ancient measure may have differed 
from the modern. The Mogul Emperor Akbar gave away, daily, ele- 
phants, horses, &c. to a great amount §. 

* * * * 

One of the most considerable historical convulsions, which may, very 
reasonably, be supposed to have supplied Siberia with a great number 
of elephants, is the expulsion of the Mongols from China, A. D. 1369. 
Not one syllable of the particulars of that great event has been met 
with. But when we contemplate the mighty establishments of the 
Grand Khan's court, and of his numerous empresses and children, 
whose travelling carriages were drawn by elephants ; a multitude of 

* Rubruquis. Purchas, Vol. I. p. 413. 

f Du Halde, Vol. II. p. 264. De Guines, Vol. III. p. 146. 

t De Guines, Vol. I. p. 29. 

§ Ayeen Akbery, Vol. I. p. 221. 



MATHEMATICIANS IN SIBERIA. 495 

those beasts probably accompanied them, when they were driven into CHAP, 
their original country. As to numbers, this source alone might possi- \^*~y~«*s 
bly account for all the fossil remains*. In the terror, confusion, flight, 
and pursuit during this disastrous catastrophe, some elephants may 
have escaped from their guides, and have wandered in Siberia, till ac- 
cident or age destroyed them : it has been shown that they bear cold 
which kills men and horses. Horses feed in the open air all the winter 
by the Lena. Elephants would find plenty of stimulating food on the 
banks of that river, cedars, larches, pines, &c. this sustenance might 
encourage the growth of the hair, with which we find nature has sup- 
plied themf . Whenever and wherever such animals died, the sudden 
and rapid floods would carry them, as well as trees and the broken 
banks of rivers, down the stream. 

The original Mongol court was near Lake Baikal. We find that the 
Emperors of that race in Hindostan were attended, in their journies, 
by rhinoceroses J, and all kinds of beasts, for combating and parade. — 
(See Chap VIII). And to these customs and accidents it is not doing 
any violence to probability to attribute the origin of the rhinoceroses 
and elephants that have been found to the north of Lake Baikal, and 
at the mouths of the rivers. In the year 1290, Kublai sent mathema- 
ticians into Siberia, to latitude 55°, and it is highly probable, that they 
were accompanied by many elephants §. We have seen, that the 

* Marco Polo says, Kublai had five thousand elephants. About thirty years 
afterwards, Odoricus says, there were thirteen thousand. Maundevile shows, that 
the number must have been very great when he was at Pekin. Shah Rohk's am- 
bassadors, in their style, guess them to amount to fifty thousand. 

f On this subject, see page 446. 

% Many countries, possessed by Kublai and his descendants, contained the one- 
horned rhinoceros. Sumatra, where the two-horned inhabits, partly belonged to 
Kublai, and from which rarities were sent to him. — See Ch. II. 

§ See Ch. II. p. 67. 



496 LARGE ARMIES KEPT IN SIBERIA. 

CHAP. Grand Khan sent often to an island, and to the shores of the Arctic Sea, 
XVIII. 

^— —v- for his falcons ; and that he had elephants with him on his hunting 
parties (see Chap. II ) ; and also vast numbers of ger-falcons and pere- 
grine falcons, and ten thousand falconers. It is therefore very likely, 
that elephants accompanied the persons who went to those regions, 
both for their safety and convenience. That territory, Yakutsk, is, 
upon Dela Croix's map, named northern Turquestan ; and we find that 
Marco Polo was correctly acquainted with the customs of the inhabit- 
ants of Yakutsk. We have also seen, in Chapter III. that the Grand 
Khan of the Turks had elephants, and conquered to the frozen ocean in 
the sixth century *. In Chap. V. and Notes on the Map, 2S and 29, it is 
shown that Kublai's and Timur Kaan's wars, and invasions of Siberia, 
lasted near thirty years ; that there were scarcely any other wars ; that 
the dispute was for the empire; that Kublai always employed elephants 
in his wars since the battle with the king of Mien and Bangalla; that he 
possessed five thousand elephants ; and that Timur Kaan was viceroy of 
the elephant provinces. Such is the paucity of materials with which to 
compose a history or description of these wars and revolutions, that it 
would often be as difficult to prove that horses were employed, as it is 
that elephants were used in their invasions. During the long rebel- 
lion of Kaidou we find that the Emperor Timur Kaan was always 
obliged to keep numerous armies in the west of Siberia f, which accounts 

* These distant regions possess more attractions than are generally known: 
they afford the most valuable of the Siberian furs; (Abul Ghazi, notes, Vol. II, p. 
639) ; mammoths (amphibious animals), whose teeth are preferred to gold by the 
Turks and Persians for their dagger-handles; (MuschkinPuschkin, in Pere Avril's 
Travels, p. 176); and the best falcons, the means of food and enjoyment to the 
Mongol Emperors (see Ch. II.) and to the whole country. No Tartar hut but has 
its hawk or falcon. (At Astracan). Olearius, p. 132. 
f Marco Polo, p. 74 1, note 1499. 



CONCLUDING REMARKS. 

satisfactorily for the number of elephants' remains found in those 
quarters. 

* * * * 

The important sciences of geology and natural history have not yet 
by any means attained that perfection and certainty to which further 
researches will undoubtedly lead. If these historical notes be ad- 
mitted as a proof that naturalists have been, with regard to particular 
animals, mistaken, still there is an ample field remaining for specula- 
tion and discoveries respecting the remains of others. Nor would a 
conclusion in favour of this disquisition reflect discredit on any for- 
mer opinions ; on the contrary, it would prove how ingenious such 
authors must have been, to gain converts to their conjectures. It 
does not appear that any naturalist has examined history in order 
to account for these bones; but, had such been the case, is it possible 
to suppose that any one of the arguments hitherto held with regard to 
these particular remains of animals, could, in their minds, have pre- 
vailed against such numerous proofs as are here exhibited of their more 
probable origin? 

In those cases, where history was procurable, the conviction seems 
irresistible. In other instances, when we consider how imperfect the 
Roman history is, and how defective in recording the details of such 
a subject as is here treated of: that the Circensian and Amphitheatri- 
cal games, and the Sacrifices, were continued for a series of centuries ; 
that the amphitheatres of turf, and nearly all of those construct- 
ed of wood, cannot be traced or known: that with regard to Britain 
and Siberia, not one word of native history exists, relating to those pe- 
riods which are here considered; yet, that the constructive evidence 
is, notwithstanding, so strong, that, compared with the difficulties of a 



EXTENT OF THE MONGOL WARS. 

diluvian origin, the hypothesis of a rotary axis, or of an inherent heat 
in the earth independently of the sun, it surely claims a decided pre- 
ference, as offering proofs that do not violate the common actions of 
society. The extensive space in which these bones are spread by the 
Mongols, must not surprise us, when we find that the Grand Khan 
Octai with a mighty force was carrying on a war in China, while his 
nephew was trampling Russia, Poland, &c. under foot with six hun- 
dred thousand cavalry*. 

TO CONCLUDE. 

The Romans and Mongols have subdued Europe and Asia: and, 
in their wars, amusements, and customs, they have employed certain 
animals, the fossil remains of exactly the same kinds of which are found 
faithful to the residences and tracks of those conquerors. To resist this 
probable origin with success, it must be shown that, by the laws, or by 
the casualties of nature, the fossil remains of the very same kinds of ani- 
mals, mixed together in the variety of menagerie collections, some pe- 
culiar to Africa, some peculiar to Asia; some natives of torrid cli- 
mates, some suitable to the coldest regions, are found in the very 
places where we might have expected the Roman and Mongol bones. 
It must be recollected that the appearance of those bones, found in 
many parts of Europe, induces a belief that the animals had been alive 
on the spot, and had met with violent deaths. 

The subject of this volume being of high interest to geography, 
natural history and geology, it is to be lamented, that it has 
not been investigated by some one better qualified in the classical 




* P. de la Croix, pp. 385, 387. See Chap. V. of this Volum e. 



CONCLUSION. 499 

and oriental languages, and other requisite acquirements, to do it ^vhF 
full justice: the author professing no other attainments than those v^-v^^ 
of a general reader, who has passed most of the leisure hours af- 
forded by a commercial life, in his library; and this being his first 
literary attempt. 



500 



MAP OF ASIA. 

Explanation of the Flags upon the Map; showing the Conquests 
of the Mongols; and some of the Places of Residence of the 
Family of Genghis Khan, 

Genghis KHAN vanquished the preceding Grand Khan, A. D. 
1202; and in the year 1280, the Mongol empire, the largest that ever 
was known, had attained its greatest extent, and was divided as 
follows : 

Kublai was the Grand Khan. He was the grandson of Genghis; 
he resided at Pekin, called also Cambalek, Khanbalig, and Cam- 
balu. He governed all China; all the countries between Hindoostan 
and China down to the ocean ; part of Sumatra ; Thibet; Tangut; 
Great Tartary^rom the country of the Ighurs to the sea of Japan, in- 
cluding Corea; the eastern division of Siberia, to the Arctic sea and 
the straits of Anian (Behring's). 

Kaidou, great grandson of Genghis, governed central Siberia, and 
some of the countries in the southern neighbourhood of the little Altai 
mountains. 

Sheibani (grandson of Genghis) or one of his descendants, resided 
at Genghidin or Sibir (near Tobolsk) ; and governed the western divi- 
sion of Siberia, to the mouth of the river Yaik which runs into the 
Caspian sea. 



MAP OF ASIA EXPLAINED. 501 

Batou's grandson, consequently a great-great-grandson of Genghis, 
governed Capschac, and resided at Serai on the Volga. This empire 
comprised Little Tartary, (the Crimea), and was bounded on the east 
by the river Yaik, on the west by the river Don, on the south by the 
Caucasus mountains, and on the north by the Arctic sea. — All Russia 
was tributary. 

Zagatai's (son of Genghis) descendant reigned over Zagatai; which 
comprised Transoxiana, or Maverulnere or Turan, the country of the 
Ighurs, Cashgar, the kingdom of Badachshan, and the city of Balk 
or Balich. He resided at Cashgar. 

Abaca, (son of Hulacou) great grandson of Genghis, reigned over 
Persia to the Indus; Syria; Mesopotamia, (Bagdat) ; Chaldea ; and 
Anatolia. He resided at Maraga. 

Viceroys, always near relations of the reigning sovereigns, were 
spread over all the above countries, to govern subordinate districts as 
extensive as European monarchies : few particulars are known of the 
viceroy al ties. 

EXPLANATION OF THE FLAGS. 

Tamerlane passed this place with his army, and erected obelisks; FLAG 1. 
and near which the great Ogus Khan (VII. century B. C.) had his 
residence. Ogus, so famous in the East, and his successors, were pro- 
bably the Tartars, who waged war with China, and caused the wall to 
be built.— DuHalde, Vol. I. p. 164, &c. and pp. 88, 89 of this Volume. 

The first residence of the Mongol Siberian princes in the western FLAG 2. 
division, was on the river Tura, where Tiumen now stands; it was 
called, in honour of the Grand Khan, Genghidin, and is still called so 
by the Tartars. —Tooke, Vol. II. p. 60. This Vol. p. 199. 

The Mongols afterwards quitted Genghidin, and built the city of FLAG 3. 
Iska, which afterwards got the name of Sibir. It is near Tobolsk. — 
Tooke, Vol. II. p. 60. 



502 MAP OF ASIA EXPLAINED. 

FLAG 4. Sheibani, the brother of Batou, at first possessed the countries 
about the Yaik, where he founded the famous golden horde ; which 
territories were ceded to him by his brother, and from whence he 
made the conquests in Siberia. The remains of Saratchinsk on the 
Yaik are still visible. — Tooke, Vol. II. pp. 17, 60; Levesque, Vol. 
VIII. p. 268 ; and Vol. VII. p. 192. This Vol. p. 199. 

FLAG 5. Mr. Adams found the ruins of ancient forts at the mouth of the Le- 
na, and mutilated remains of grotesque figures. 

To the shores and islands of this place the Grand Khan always sent 
for his ger falcons and peregrine falcons : he kept 10,000 falconers. — 
See Marco Polo, Ch. L., where it is mentioned that the natives ride 
upon rein-deer; and this fact is confirmed by Mr. Adams, in the 
year 1805. See this Vol. p. 250. 

The Yakutes were driven to the Frozen Ocean by the Mongols. — 
Tooke, Vol. II. p. 80. 

These regions, near the mouths of the Lena and Indigerska, are called, 
in De la Croix's map to Sherefeddin, " Northern Turquestan." — See 
this Vol. p. 209. 

FLAG 6. Birth place of Genghis Khan. — See Captain Cochrane's Pedestrian 
Journey, p. 489; and Chap. I. of this volume, first page. 

FLAG 7. Tomb of Genghis Khan. — See Strahlenberg's Map, and Abul 
Ghazi, Vol. I. p. 145. This Vol. p. 43. Hereabouts Kublai and other 
Mogul princes were also interred. — See Marco Polo, p. 199, note. 

FLAG 8. Shang-tu, Kublai Khan's summer palace. — See Chaunaiman in Du 
Halde's Map ; and Marco Polo, p. 250. This Vol. p. 75. 

FLAG 9. Caracorum. The capital of the Grand Khans. — See pp. 49 — 189. 

FLAG 10. Olougyourt. Residence of the Grand Khan Octai ; capital of the 
Grand Khan Keyouc— Petis de la Croix, p. 389. This Vol. pp. 
44, 189, 211. 

FLAG 11. Great battle between Kublai and Nayan (eight hundred and sixty 



MAP OF ASIA EXPLAINED. 503 

thousand troops engaged). The Grand Khan being in a castle, 
placed upon the backs of four elephants — See Astley's Collection, 
Vol. JV. p. 606. Marco Polo, p. 262. This Vol. p. 59. 

Cambalec, or Cambalu, or Pekin. The capital of the Grand FLAG 12. 
Khans from the accession of Kublai till the expulsion of the Mongols 
from China. A. D. 1369. 

The Don was the Mongol Frontier. FLAG 13. 

" We arrived at the banks of the Tanais, which divides Asia from 
Europe. At the place where we arrived, Batou and Sartach had 
caused cottages to be built on the eastern bank of the river, for a com- 
pany of Russians to dwell in, that they might transport ambassadors 
and merchants in ferry boats. When we demanded horses of the 
Russians, they replied that they had a privilege from Batou, whereby 
they were bound only to ferry goers and comers ; and that they re- 
ceived great sums from merchants, even for that. This river is the 
limit of the east part of Russia. — William De Rubruquis, p. 564; this 
Vol. p. 238. 

Serai, the capital of the Empire of Capshac, was built by Batou, FLAG 14. 
grandson of Genghis, and successor to his father Touschi, the first 
Mongol sovereign of Capshac: it became a magnificent city. See 
page 46 of this Volume. 

We found Sartach's court within three days' journey of the Volga. FLAG 15. 
He is the son of Batou, his court was very great. He had six wives. 
His eldest son has three wives. Every one of these women hath a 
great house and above two hundred carts. — William De Rubruquis, 
p. 564 ; this Vol. p. 239. 

Near Kasimof, on the Oka, is a Tartarian suburb, the ruins of a FLAG 16. 
lofty round tower, an oratory or chapel, the remains of a palace and 
a mausoleum; all constructed of brick or burnt tiles. It was a popu- 
lous Tartar town in 1685.— Pere Avril, p. 128 ; Tooke, Vol. II. p. 48. 



504 MAP OF ASIA EXPLAINED. 

FLAG 17. The city of Kazan was built by a son of Batou, in the year 1257. — 
Tooke, Vol. II. p. 50. 

FLAG 18. " On the Volga, below the mouth of the Kama, are found well pre- 
served and partly magnificent (Tartar) remains of Bracktimof, or Bol- 
gar." — Tooke, Vol. II. p. 48. Bolgar was the residence of Bereke, 
brother and successor of Batou (P. de la Croix, p. 387). He received 
Marco Polo's father and uncle with great distinction and magnificence. 
See M. Polo, Ch. I. sec. 1, who calls him Barka. He was engaged 
in a bloody war against his relation Hulacou, king of Persia. — P. de 
la Croix, p. 387. 

FLAG 19. Astrachan was the seat of a Tartar sovereign. — Tooke, Vol. II. p. 

50; see this Vol pp. 128. 289. 
FLAG 20. The Crimea was under the descendants of Genghis above five 

hundred years. 

FLAG 21. Maraga. The capital of Hulacou, grandson of Genghis and king 
of Persia, who founded a school of Astronomy in this city: (he died 
in the year 1265).— Sir R. K. Porter's Travels, Vol. II. p. 494. 

FLAG 22. Cashgar. Residence of Isan Boga Khan, descended from Zagatai, 
at the end of the thirteenth century. — Abul Ghazi, Vol. I. p. 167. 

FLAG 23. Supposed winter position of the sovereigns of Gete, the country of 
Caidu, who rebelled against Kublai and Timur Kaan. Also the residence 
of the Turkish Khans. — See Sir William Jones's Works, Vol. I. 
p. 63; Abul Ghazi Bahadur, Vol. I. p. 163; Sherefeddin, Life of 
Timur, Vol.1, p. 330; Tooke's Russia, Vol.11, p. 37; Marsden's 
Marco Polo, p. 263;' Petis de la Croix, p. 387; Bell of Antermony, 
Ch. II.; and this Vol. pp. 100, 101, 202. 

FLAG 24. Semipalati, (seven palaces), a large brick building of seven rooms, in 
which many Mongol, Calmuc, and Tangut manuscripts were found, 
supposed to be prayers of the Lamas. The Tartars told Mr. Bell that 
it was built by Tamerlane or Genghis Khan. See Abul Ghazi, Vol. 
II. p. 525; Strahlenberg, p. 335; this Vol. p. 217. 



MAP OF ASIA EXPLAINED. 505 

When we entered Cara Cathay, the Emperor's deputy, who lived in a FLAG 25. 
house, ordered some drink, and a dance by his two sons. Departing, 
we found a small sea with many islands in it, and we passed leaving 
it on our left hand. In this land liveth Ordu, the most ancient of the 
Tartar Dukes. It is the court of his father which he inhabiteth. — 
Du Piano Carpini Hakluyt, Vol. I. p. 66, &c. Cara Cathay, in De la 
Croix's map to the life of Genghis, reaches to latitude 55° north. See 
this Vol. p. 210. 

Changanor, or White Lake, a hunting palace of the Grand Khan FLAG 26. 
Kublai. Marco Polo, p. 248. This Vol. p. 79. 

" On our journey from Batou to Mangu Khan, we travelled east; FLAG 27. 
we had gowns made all of sheep-skins, with the wool upon them, and 
breeches of the same. Our guide directed us on our way by the 
courts of rich Mongols. Genghis' s grandsons are daily multiplied and 
dispersed over this huge and vast desert, which is in dimensions like 
the ocean. We were at many of their habitations; they marvelled 
exceedingly that we would not receive either gold or silver, or pre- 
cious and costly garments, at their hands. (This place is probably on 
Rubruquis' route, there can be no certainty, no names being given). 
We altered our course from east to south, and went by certain moun- 
tains for eight days. In the desert we saw many asses or mules, which 
we chased, but they were too swift for us. On the seventh day very 
high mountains appeared to the south of us. Having passed the great 
mountains, we entered a beautiful plain, having high mountains on 
our right ; and on our left a tempestuous sea or lake (Baikal ?), fifteen 
days' journey in circuit; we sailed across a mighty river (Lena?), and 
returned by the north side of the Lake ; and there were great moun- 
tains also on that side. Rubruquis, p. 568 to 572 ; and Abul Ghazi, 
Vol. II. p. 555, where the Mongol tombs at Krasnoyarsk are described. 

T T T 



506 MAP OF ASIA EXPLAINED. 

See also Bell of Anterraony, p. 209. Strahlenberg, pp. 325 to 407, 
respecting the tombs at Jenesai. This Vol. p. 216. 
FLAG 28. Caidu (grandson of Genghis and nephew of Kublai) and his armies 
at all times remain in the open plains and vallies; they have no corn* 
but subsist on flesh and milk ; they live in perfect harmony among 
themselves. In these districts are found white bears of a prodigious 
size, black foxes, wild asses, and zibelins. They travel in a tragula. 
or sledge which runs easily upon ice; it contains only the driver, and 
one merchant with his package; it is drawn by a set of animals which 
may be called dogs, very strong, and inured to the draught. Marco 
Polo, p. 737. See more particulars in Chap. V. of this volume. 
FLAG 29. Yunnan. Viceroyalty of Timur Kaan, grandson of Kublai. He 
routed Kaidu on the banks -of the Irtish, in 1289. Timur became 
Grand Khan in 1294. During his whole reign there was scarcely any 
war but that with Kaidu. Marco Polo, B. II. Ch. XXIX. & XLII. 
B. III. Ch. XLIV. and note 830. See Chap. V. p. 200 of this Vol. 

Timur died in 1307, aged forty-two. Du Halde, Vol. I. p. 215. The 
Chinese name of this Emperor was Ching-tsong. 
FLAG 30. Singan, capital of Shensi, is governed by Manga! u, son of the Grand 
Khan Kublai, and uncle of Timur Kaan. It is a country of great com- 
merce, eminent for its silk, and manufactures. In this place likewise 
they prepare every article necessary for the equipment of an army. 
In a plain, about five miles from the city, stands a beautiful palace, 
belonging to king Mangalu, embellished with many fountains and ri- 
vulets, both within, and on the outside of the buildings. There is also 
a fine park, surrounded by a high wall, with battlements, enclosing an 
extent of five miles ; where all kinds of wild animals, both beasts and 
birds, are kept for sport. In its centre is this spacious palace, which 
for symmetry and beauty cannot be surpassed. It contains many halls 
and chambers, ornamented with paintings in gold and the finest azure, 



MAP OF ASIA EXPLAINED. 507 

as well as with great profusion of marble. Mangalu, pursuing the foot- 
steps of his father, governs his principality with equity, and is beloved 
by his people. He also takes much delight in hunting and hawking. 
Mangalu was viceroy of Shensi, Sechuen and Tibet. Hananta, his el- 
dest son, succeeded his father in the same government, and also resided 
at Singan. — Marco Polo, p. 403. and Note 777. Singan was a famous 
city, B. C. 1100; see this Vol. p. 86. 

See in Chapter V. p. 214, a description of the great riches in gold, FLAG 31. 
&c. dug up in the numerous Mongol tombs in the neighbourhood of 
Tomsk. — Elephants' bones are sometimes found in these tombs. (Bell of 
Antermony, p. 209); and casts of the hippopotamus, (Rees's Cyc. 
" Hip.") ; and urns, with representations of hawking. A whole elephant 
was found in a tomb in Siberia, but it is not said precisely where. 
Coxe's Travels, Vol. III. p. 170. 

Near Azof, Tamerlane received a deputation from the consuls and pi^G 
merchants of Egypt, Venice, Genoa, Catalonia, and Biscay, who occu- 
pied that city. He refused their offers, plundered Azof, and reduced 
it to ashes. — See Sherefeddin, Vol. I. p. 502. Gibbon, Chapter LXV. 
p. 339. 

" Yang-chu-fu (or Chin-gui) is the place of residence of one of the FLAG 33. 
twelve nobles appointed by the Grand Khan to the government of the 
Chinese provinces ; and, in the room of one of these, Marco Polo, by 
special order of his majesty, acted as governor of this city during the 
space of three years." — Marco Polo, p. 485, and note 955. 

Para Hotun, on the river Rerlon, was built by the Mongols under YLAG 34 
Mangu and Kublai, it was two leagues in circumference. The foun- 
dations, part of the wall, and two pyramids, are now in ruins : there 
are ruins of their cities in twenty places. — Du Halde's description of 
Tartary, Vol. II. p. 251. 



508 MAP OF ASIA EXPLAINED. 

FLAG 35. Ancient city and kingdom of Bangalla, conquered by Kublai, A. D. 
1272. See Ch. VII. 

FLAG 36. Ghizni, or Gazna. Residence of Octai, who succeeded his father 
Genghis, as Grand Khan. 

FLAG 37. In the year of the Hegira, 642, an army of Mogul Tartars made an 
incursion into Bengal, by the way of Chitta and Tibet. Musaood IV. 
sent Timur to the aid of Tiggi, governor of that province, with a 
great army; and the Moguls received a total defeat. — Dow's Hindoos- 
tan, Vol. I. p. 179. Ferishta, says Rennell (Memoir, p. xlix.) in allu- 
sion to the above, describes an irruption of Moguls into Bengal, by way 
of Chitta and Thibet, in 1244. (This is the year answering to 642 of the 
Hegira, and not 1242, as appears in this Vol. p. 82). 

Chitta has not been found in Rennell's or any other map; but 
there is every probability of Coos Beyhar being the place meant. — See 
this Vol. p. 82. In Marco Polo, p. 412, it is related that Mangu 
Khan, (he was the brother of Kublai, and preceded him as Grand 
Khan) " carried his arms into Thibet, and entirely laid waste that 
country: to the distance of twenty days' journey you see numberless 
towns and castles in a state of ruin ; and wild beasts, especially tigers, 
have multiplied to such a degree, that there is great danger in travel- 
ling ;" — with many more particulars respecting Thibet. 

Here is another confirmation of the truth and accuracy of Marco 
Polo. 

FLAG 38. When Prince Zagatai was come into the country of Quirman, with 
his numerous army, A.D. 1222, be took, by degrees, all the places in 
that country, according to the orders he had received from his father, 
Genghis Khan; who, being well informed of the unhealthfulness of 
this province, had charged him to take great care of the soldiers. 
The capital city is called Quirman (the ancients called the province 



MAP OF ASIA EXPLAINED. 509 

Carmania). From hence he led his troops into Makran, which at this 
time made a part of Sinde : he took the city of Tiz, in latitude 26°, and 
some other places, which he destroyed ; and he passed the winter in 
Quelanger, a country situate on the borders of the Indies. (In De 
l'lsle's map to the life of Genghis, Quelanger is on the west side of 
the Delta of the Indus). 

As Zagatai designed to stay a long time in this place, the soldiers 
made themselves a great number of houses : there were some who 
even got very fine flocks of sheep ; and they subsisted with greater 
ease, because the prince had made the quarters for the troops of so 
great an extent, that they did not incommode one another. Every sol- 
dier had his slaves who served him. The troops employed themselves in 
cultivating gardens, and began to solace themselves, as if they had been 
in a country which they supposed was going to be divided amongst 
them ; and which they were to settle in for the rest of their lives. But 
being in a region, the climate of which was very different from that 
they were born in; when the customary scorching winds began to 
blow, they, almost all of them, fell sick, and a great number died. The 
survivors were so weak and languid, that if the sultan had had an 
army to oppose them, he would have totally ruined this of the 
Moguls. 

Zagatai removed his troops from one place to another, to recover 
their strength; and as the slaves, whom they had taken in the neigh- 
bouring places, were a burthen to the soldiers who were charged with 
the care of them ; he ordered that the greatest part of them should be 
put to death : and in one day those miserable beings were killed. Af- 
ter this, the army encamped in a more temperate country, and the 
troops recovered. Zagatai having received orders to repair to the 
Grand Khan, he placed garrisons in the conquered cities, and coun- 
tries ; and leaving the government of them all to one of his lieutenants, 



510 MAP OF ASIA EXPLAINED. 

he marched northward; one part of his army going along the borders 
of India, under a lieutenant-general ; while he, with the rest, took the 
road to Balkh, at which place the general rendezvous was appointed. 
— Petis de la Croix, p. 336. 



REMARK. 



In the constructing of this map, the writer has consulted the best 
authorities known to him. The old maps to the lives of Genghis and 
of Tamerlane, and that to Abul Ghazi, prove how ignorant Europe was 
with regard to Northern Asia a century ago. There is even now a 
space between Hindoostan and Siberia, and from Lake Aral to the sea 
of Japan, more extensive than Europe, which is scarcely known even 
by name. Those places, about which authors vary considerably, have 
been omitted, rather than incur the risk of misleading the reader. 



FINIS. 



511 



LIST 

OF 

BOOKS REFERRED TO IN THIS WORK. 



A BU'L GHAZI BAHADUR, Khan of Carisme, descended in the right line from 
Genghis Khan. — Genealogical History of the Turks, Moguls, and Tartars, 
2 vols. 8vo. London, 1730. Translated from the French, with notes. 

Adanson. — Histoire du Senegal, 4to. Paris, 1757. 

Ainsworth.— Latin Dictionary, 4to. edition by T. Morell, D.D. 1773. 

Avril, Father, a Jesuit. — Travels to discover a new way by land to China, A. D. 
1685, 18mo. London, 1693. 

Ambassadors of the Duke of Holstein. — Travels to Tartary, &c. by Olearius and 
Mandelslo, fol. 2d edit. 1669. 

Augustan History, &c. — By Bernard, 2 vols. 8vo, London, 1698. This history is 
principally by Julius Capitolinus, ./Elius Lampridius, iElius Spartianus, 
and Flavius Vopiscus. When the quotations are in those names, they refer 
to the Augustan History. 

Ayeen Acbery ; or, Institutes of the Emperor Akbar, 2 vols. 8vo. London, 1800. 

Bell, John, of Antermony. — Travels to Pekin, 2 vols. 4to. Glasgow, 1763. 

Bernard, John, A.M. — Lives of the Roman Emperors, 2 vols. 8vo. London, 1698. 
When quotations are from Bernard, they refer to his Augustan History ; to 
which he has himself added a few lives. 

Bernier. — Account of the Mogul Empire, Agra and Delhi, 18mo. London, 1676. 

Buffon. — Sonini's edit. 12mo. Paris, An. VIII. 

Camden's Britannia. — By Gough, 3 vols. fol. 1789. 

Capitolinus. — See Augustan History. 

Carpini Du Piano in Hakluyt, vol. I. 



512 LIST OF BOOKS REFERRED TO. 

Catrou and Rouille. — Roman History, 6 vols. fol. London, 1728. 
Chenier, M. — State of Morocco. 2 vols. 8vo. London, 1788. 

Cherefeddin. — History of Timur Bee, or Tamerlane; from the French of Petis de 
la Croix, 2 vols. 8vo. London, 1723. Cherefeddin was a native of Yezd, 
and a subject of Timur. This history was not finished till nineteen years 
after Timur 's death. This is the best and most authentic author ; but the 
reader must remember, that the lion's likeness is drawn by his own painter. 
(Every nation is partial to its own hero). On the other hand, justice has 
not been done to Timur by the Turks, and his other enemies. — See Pur- 
chas, vol. 1, 2d edit. p. 319. The life of Timur by Alhacen, gives an ac- 
count of an invasion of China by Timur, a circumstance not hinted at by any 
other writer : his history has therefore not been used. 

Cochrane, Capt. — Pedestrian Journey through Siberia, &c. first edition. 

Coxe, William.— Travels in Russia, &c. 5th edit. 1802. 

Cuvier, Le Baron. — Sur les Ossemens Fossiles des Quadrupedes, 4to. Paris, 5 vols. 

Theory of the Earth, 8vo. translated by Professor Jameson, 1813. 

De la Croix. — Vide Petis. 

D'Herbelot. — Bibliotheque Orientale, 4 vols. 4to. Hague, 1779. 

De Guines.— Histoire des Huns, Mogols, &c. (bound in 5 vols. 4to.) Paris, 1766. 

Dion Cassius, abridged by Xiphilin.— Manning's translation, 2 vols. 8vo. 1704. 

Dow. — History of Hindoostan, 3 vols. 4to. 1770. 

Drake, Francis. — History and Antiquities of York, fol. 1736. 

Du Halde.— Empire of China, &c. 2 vols. fol. in English, 1738. 

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 3d edition. 

Genghis Khan, Life of. — See Petis de la Croix. 

Gibbon. — Roman Empire, 6 vols. 4to. 1 788. 

Grew, Nehemiah. — Museum Regis Societatis, fol. 1681. 

Grosier, Abbe.— General Description of China, 2 vols. 8vo. London, 1788. 

Hakewill, Bishop of Worcester. — His Apology ; or, Declaration of the Power and 

Providence of God in the Government of the World, fol. Oxford, 1635. 
Hakluyt.— Voyages, 3 vols, in 2, fol. 1598, and 1600. 
Hamilton, Walter. — East India Gazetteer, 8vo. 1815. 
Harris, John, D.D. F. R. S.— Voyages and Travels, 2 vols. fol. 1764. 



LIST OF BOOKS REFERRED TO. 613 

Haym, Nicola Francesco. — Del Tesoro Britannico, 2 vols. 4to. Londra, 1719. 

Henry. — History of England, 4th edit. 1805, 8vo. 

Herodotus. — Beloe's Translation, 2 vols. 8vo. 1819. 

Horsley. — Britannia Romana, fol. first edit. 

Hutchins. — Antiquities of Dorsetshire, 4 vols. fol. 1803. 

Ides Isbrandts ; (or Isbrants). — Journey through Siberia, in Le Bruyn, and in 

Harris's Voyages. 
Jones, Sir William, — Works, 8 vols. 4to. 1799. 

Institutes of Timour, or Tamerlane. — By Major Davy, and Joseph White, B. D. 
4to. Oxford, 1783. This is a volume of maxims or institutes, political and 
military. For the authenticity of this book, consult the translator's preface, 
and Sir William Jones's fifth discourse, in vol. I. 

Kennett. — Antiquities of Rome, 8vo. 16th edit. 1785. 

Lampridius. — See Augustan History. 

Le Blanc, Vincent. — Travels in India, &c. small fol. London, 1660. 
Le Bruyn. — Travels in the Levant, fol. London, 1702. 

- Travels in the East Indies, &c. 2 vols. fol. 1737. 

Lempriere. — Bibliotheca Classica, 4th edit. 1801. 

Lesseps, M. De. — Journal Historique du Voyage de, 2 vols. 8vo. Paris, 1790. 
Levesque. — Histoire de Russie, 8 vols. 8vo. Hambourg, 1800. 
Mandelslo, John Albert de — Vide Ambassadors' Travels. 

Maundevile, Sir John, Knt. — Voyage and Travaile of, in the year 1322, from the 
original MS. in the Cotton library, 8vo. London, 1727. Maundevile was a 
man of learning and substance. Having inserted in his book descriptions 
of monsters which he had read of in Pliny, miracles out of legends, and other 
strange stories, his whole narration has been rejected by some compilers. 
His travels, by his own observations, reached from 62° 10' north, to 33° 16' 

south. He was in Persia, Tartary, China, India, Lybia, ./Ethiopia, &c. 

He and his fellow travellers were soldiers under the Grand Khan of Cathay 
fifteen months. Where he can be compared with other travellers about that 
time, such as Marco Polo, the difference is not such as to invalidate his tes- 
timony of what he himself saw or heard while at the places he visited ; and 
the writer has not used his authority on any other occasion : nor does Maun- 
devile copy, but he rather elucidates Polo's history, as will be shown. He 
V V u 



5 14 LIST OF BOOKS REFERRED TO. 

was absent thirty-four years; and, on his return, he regretted that "virtue 
is gone, the church is under foote, the clergy is in errour, the devillreigneth, 
and simonie beareth the sway." This was in the year of the battle of Poic- 
tiers! Sir John Maundevile reasons on his observations of the " Sterre 
Antartyk," &c. and, therefrom, concludes that the earth is a globe, and 
that a ship might sail underneath without any fear of falling " toward the 
Heven, as semethe to symple men unlerned." It is not probable that his ob- 
servation of 83° 16' south, was correct. He died at Leige, Nov. 17, 1371, 
and was buried there, with an inscription upon his tomb, in the French of 
that time: " Vos ki paseis sor mi, pour l'amour Deix, proies por mi." 

Milton, John.— Historical Works, 2 vols. fol. 1738. 

History of Britain, 1 vol. 8vo. 1695. 

Modern Universal History, 16 vols. fol. 1759 to 1765. 

Montesquieu, De. — Oeuvres, 7 vols. 12mo. Amsterdam, 1781. 

Ogilby, Cosmographer to Charles II. — Description of Asia, fol. 1673. 

Olearius. — See Ambassadors' Travels. 

Pallas. — Voyage dans FAsie Septentrionale, 8 torn. Paris, L'an. II. Traduit de 

l'Allemand, par le C. Gauthier de Ja Peyronie. 
Parkinson. — Organic Remains, 3 vols. 4to. 1811. 

Pegge, Samuel, A. M. — Essay on the Coins of Cunobelin, London, 4to. 1766. 
Pennant.— Tour in Wales, 2 vols. 4to. 1722. . 

Petis de la Croix. — History of Genghis Khan. English edit. 1722, 1 vol. Svo. the 
labour of ten years. 

Polo, Marco.— Travels of, 4to. translated by William Marsden, F.R S. &c. 1818. 

Justice is, at length, done to the Columbus of the East. The more this 

author is known, the higher his reputation rises. In addition to the eluci- 
dations and confirmations of the veracity of Marco Polo, which appear in 
this excellent edition of his travels, (to which the writer acknowledges great 
obligations), four or five further discoveries of his correctness will be found 
in these Researches. Marco Polo was many years in the service of the 
Grand Khan Kublai : he was three years governor of the city of Yan-gui. 
(M. Polo, 485). He returned to Venice in the year 1295, immensely rich. 
It was from reading Marco Polo's description of the great distance to which 
Japan reached eastward, that Columbus felt persuaded those countries 



LIST OF BOOKS REFERRED TO. 515 

might be arrived at by a shorter voyage, by sailing to the west; and, on his 
first discoveries, he imagined the American islands to be a part of the East 
Indies. We therefore perhaps owe the discovery of America to this cele- 
brated traveller. «_ See Robertson's Ancient India, note XLVI. 
Purchas. — His Pilgrimage, 5 vols. fol. second edit. When B. is added, it means 
third edition. 

Rennell, James, F.R.S. — Memoirs of Hindoostan, 4to. 1788. 

Robertson, William, D.D. — Disquisition on Ancient India, 4to. 1791. 

Rubruquis, William De. — Travels in Tartary, &c. Harris's Voyages,Vol. I. p. 556. 

Sherefeddin. — See Cherefeddin. 

Spartian. — See Augustan History. 

Stow.— Survey of London, 2 vols. fol. 1720. 

Strahlenberg, P. I. Von. — Description of Siberia, &c. 4to. London, 1738, trans- 
lated from the high German. Strahlenberg was a Swedish officer, in the 
service of Charles XII. he was taken prisoner at Pultava, and resided thir- 
teen years in Siberia. He was a man of science ; and the Czar Peter hav- 
ing procured a sight of his map, (the first good one), endeavoured to induce 
him to enter into his service ; but he returned to his own country. 

Stukeley, Dr. William. — Itinerarium Curiosum, 2 vols. fol. 2d edit. 1776. 

— Medallic History of the British Emperor Carausius, 4to. 

Tacitus. — Gordon's translation, 2 vols. 8vo. 1817. 

Tavernier. — Voyages, in English, fol. 1677. 

Timur. — See Institutes ; and Cherefeddin. 

Tooke, William, F.R.S. — View of the Russian Empire, 3 vols. 8vo. 1799. 
Vopiscus. — See Augustan History. 

Xenophon. — Expedition of Cyrus, by E. Spelman, Esq. 8vo. 1813. 
Cyropaedia, or Institution of Cyrus ; translated by the Honorable Mau- 
rice Ashley, 8vo. 1816. 
Zosimus, Count, Chancellor of the Roman Empire. — English transl. 8vo. 1814. 



516 



ERRATA. 



Page. Line. 

16 10 for Sercbrenkaia read Serebrenkaia 

61 18 after relief for ; read ) 

67 3 dele south, 

99 16 for guilded. read gilded. 
120 3 for reminded read and reminded 
152 18 for composed read was composed 

169 2 after Emperor add : 
8 dele Calil's read the 

1 70 Note * for grandsons' read grandsons 
Chap. VI. for a ou read a ou 

229 5 for now here read nowhere 

230 Note f line 3 for Ch. XV. read end of this Ch. 
240 last line, after found add ; 

244 5 /or Ticuman read Tieuman 

251 12 for per read par 

252 14 for out read ont 

302 12 /or and fifty-four elephants, read fifty-four elephants 
325 11 for commanded read command 
355 12 from bottom, for 2 A, read 12 A. 

359 12 to thervord Avon, add this note-* The name in Tacitus is Antona. Murphy 
and Gordon translate it Nen. Camden thinks that the true reading is 
Nen. Rapin translates it Avon. See Ainsworth, Aufona and Antona. 

385 Medal 23, In the Zodiac, the sign Libra is where that of Virgo should be. It is faith- 
fully copied from Haym. 

391 Margin, dele A. D. 192. 

409 22 after that read the 

464 Title, for to read from 

505 6 for Carpini read Carpini, in 

507 20 for Chin-gui read Yan-gui 



LONDON: 

W. M'DOWALL, PRINTER, PEMBERTON-ROW, GOUGH-SQUARE. 



'0: 



